RADAMEL FALCAO WAS a surprise starter for Manchester United U21s against Tottenham on Tuesday evening but he again struggled to make an impact as Warren Joyce’s side claimed a 1-1 draw.

The Colombian was an unused substitute during United’s FA Cup loss to Arsenal on Monday evening and has scored just four goals in 20 appearances since joining on a lucrative season-long loan deal from Monaco.

And although he featured from the start in Tuesday’s Under-21 Premier League clash, the former Atletico Madrid striker again produced an ineffective performance that eventually saw him taken off after 72 minutes.

Victor Valdes, who is yet to have made a first-team appearance for the club since signing on a free transfer in January, and Rafael both also started as United named a strong starting XI.

Falcao was involved in the early exchanges as he inadvertently blocked a goal-bound effort from James Wilson to stop United taking the lead.

And Spurs would capitalise to go in front soon after as Kenny McEvoy pounced on Joe Rothwell’s loose pass to slot home past Valdes.

But United hit back after 32 minutes, with Rafael, who has found himself out of the first-team picture at Old Trafford of late, scoring with a sensational lobbed effort from range to make it 1-1.

Joyce’s side almost went in front through Sean Goss although unfortunately for Falcao, the Colombian was again in the way as he diverted the midfielder’s effort straight into Spurs goalkeeper Luke McGee’s hands.

Falcao was then replaced after 72 minutes, with United failing to go on to find a winner meaning both sides stay level at the top of the table on 24 points.

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