Absent from the Champions League, and never expected to be in the running for the Premier League, this season hardly offered much prospect of real joy for United. Yet Falcao’s arrival, following that of Ángel di María, will lift spirits in the dressing room and on the terraces, reminding everyone that United can still pull in the big names (admittedly by paying astronomical wages). Nani and Javier Hernández out, Di María and Falcao in: now that is an upgrade from premium economy to first class.