Chris Smalling believes Radamel Falcao will be back to his best next season after suffering for being a "marked man" at Manchester United.
The Colombia international striker has only scored four goals in 29 matches during his season on loan at Old Trafford and United are unlikely to take up the option to sign him permanently for £43.5 million.
But defender Smalling feels that, if he is fully fit, Falcao can return to the sort of form that saw him score 155 goals in 200 games for Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco.
"I think when the manager has given him a chance and he's trained well and he's stayed fit, you can see he is getting sharper and sharper and with a good pre-season he'll be firing again next season," the centre-back said.
Falcao arrived at United with a reputation as one of the world's deadliest strikers and Smalling feels that counted against him as he suggested defenders singled him out for special treatment.
"I think with his record [means] he's a marked man," England international said. "He does get kicked a lot in every game and it's because of what he's done in the game."
Falcao joined United less than eight months after suffering the cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.
And he has struggled with other problems during his time at England, which Smalling feels have not helped his cause.
"He's had a couple of injuries on the way, and with every player that means you don't get the consistency of being able to train every week," he explained. "It affects your flow, especially with strikers who need a run of goals to set them off."
Smalling was chosen by manager Louis van Gaal to lead United in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal when captain Wayne Rooney and vice-captain Michael Carrick were both injured and the experienced Robin van Persie began the game on the bench.
"It was a big honour and a proud moment for me," said the 25-year-old, who feels he has accepted more responsibility after the departures of a raft of senior players, including Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Darren Fletcher.
"I think this season, some of us have had to step forward, especially with some of the older players leaving so it's nice that it's being recognised," he said.
United are set to finish fourth in the Premier League which Smalling feels should not be deemed a great achievement.
"No, it's not," he added. "It's not one [a season] where we're massively celebrating, it's a step. Next season we know that won't be good enough and our fans at the end today were terrific. Hopefully next season we'll be having a parade with something to really cheer about."