Anyone who has watched Falcao play on a regular basis this season will struggle to accept he is the same person who previously endured two torrid years in England.

The Colombian international arrived in the Premier League with a big reputation and despite only recently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, most thought it was only a matter of time before he rediscovered his best form.

He has eventually found his goalscoring touch once more but back at Monaco rather than Manchester United or Chelsea.

The 31-year-old was on hand to score for the 27th time this season against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday to help the Ligue 1 side progress through to the Champions League's semi-finals.

So where was this all-conquering version of Falcao during his time in England?

According to Rio Ferdinand, his failings at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge might not be entirely his own fault.

At Man Utd, Louis van Gaal's style of football during his tenure was frequently criticised and Ferdinand believes it also played a role in Falcao's meagre six goals in 2014/15.

The former United defender thinks the biggest difference between the Falcao of then and now is the type of players currently around him.

“All the time he was successful for his other clubs, they were crossing the ball for him. He scored so many goals from crosses,” Ferdinand told BT Sport, as per the Manchester Evening News.

“This team (Monaco), the two full backs maraud forwards, cross the ball and he makes great runs in the box.

“This is what’s great about this Monaco team - he’s got legs around him, which can do all his running.”

Falcao's second season in England went even worse with a nasty groin injury ruling him out for much of the campaign and managing just one goal from 12 appearances for Chelsea.

But now back at parent club Monaco, he is a man reinvigorated and his record in Europe is particularly astonishing.

In 50 European matches, Falcao has scored 45 times, with seven of those coming this term.

And don't rule out him adding to that tally in the semi-finals. Free-scoring Monaco will be joined by Real Madrid, Juventus and Atletico Madrid in Friday's draw.