Andy
Cole
-
Appearances275
-
Total goals121
Andy
Biography
Any Reds wishing Alex Ferguson had plumped for Nottingham Forest’s Stan Collymore when he went shopping for a new striker in the January 1995 sales were forced to eat their hats over Andy Cole.
An inauspicious start to his Old Trafford career was followed by the most purple of purple patches, in which the Nottingham-born striker banged in a goal every couple of games, a ratio not seen in M16 since the golden age of Denis Law. It was only a matter of time, of course. Form is temporary, class is permanent.
Cole had blazed a trail at St James’ Park, scoring an astonishing 68 goals in just 74 matches, including 41 in the 1993/94 league season. Once he was off and running, benefiting from the prompting of Cantona, Giggs and Sharpe, he played like a dream, justifying every penny of his then-record £6.25 million transfer.
That first season saw Cole score an astonishing five times in the 9-0 rout of Ipswich Town at Old Trafford – a scoreline that remains an individual and team best in Premiership history.
Cole netted 11 league goals on the way to the 1995/96 title, snatched so memorably from the grasp of his old team-mates at Newcastle.
Further title success followed in 1996/97, a season disrupted by pneumonia and two broken legs. Though his days appeared numbered with the arrival of Dwight Yorke from Aston Villa for the 1998/99, the truth couldn’t have been more different.
Cole and Yorke were dynamite together, scoring 35 goals in the league between them as United stormed unstoppably to the Treble. Yorke’s craft and strength, Cole’s pace and predatory instincts unforgettably combining at Nottingham Forest in February 1999 in an 8-1 win, memorable also for a four-goal substitute cameo from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Though Cole found his United form hard to replicate in an England shirt, there is little doubt he is one of the club’s – and the modern game’s – great strikers. He was still scoring top-flight goals for Manchester City in 2005/06 after spells with Blackburn and Fulham.
-
Position
Forward
-
Country
England
-
Date of birth
-
Joined
-
United debut
v Blackburn (H) League
-
Left United
Latest
Cole: Their fans' reaction always annoyed me Article
In the latest UTD Podcast, Andy Cole opens up on the aftermath of his shock transfer from Newcastle in 1995.
Cole's Top 10 goals for United video
Enjoy ten prime cuts from Goal King Cole's impressive haul of 121 United goals...
‘That goal put a lot of ghosts to rest’ video
On his birthday, Andy Cole explains which famous strike allowed him to forget about West Ham in 1995…
Goal of the Day: Cole v Sunderland video
Give Coley as much space as Sunderland did in October 2001, and you're going to get punished...
'It was like we were born together' Article
Andy Cole tells UTD Podcast that it felt literally like a twin strike partnership with great pal Dwight Yorke!
Why Cole and Yorke might never have happened video
Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole formed one of our best-ever strike partnerships, but history could have been so different...
Why Cole was a master marksman Article
The latest subject of UTD Podcast must never have his striking credentials questioned, argues Adam Marshall.
UTD Podcast: Cole refuses to quit Article
In the latest episode, Andy Cole opens up about his illness, post-football life and his partnership with Dwight Yorke.
‘I enjoy that Barcelona goal more and more!’ video
Andy Cole explains the celebration after his famous strike in the Nou Camp and has a guess at how many he’d score now…
Cole: Trio can help us push on Article
Our former no.9 can't wait to see how three Reds perform when the new season begins at Old Trafford.
Millions raised by Soccer Aid as World XI win Article
Evra, Fletcher and Silvestre taste victory at Old Trafford as World XI beat England on penalties.
Soccer Aid stars excited to play at Old Trafford Article
We get the inside track as ex-United players and celebrity fans get ready for tonight's massive charity match.
Goal of the Day: Cole v Newcastle video
Goal King Cole went into overdrive against Newcastle on 30 August 1999, smashing in four, including this beauty…
The times we broke the British transfer record Article
Rio Ferdinand was one of the six benchmark signings - can you remember the five others?
Which is United's best-ever partnership? Article
We've nominated five of our favourites, but there are plenty more to choose from in United's storied history.