2001
F.A. Premier League 2000
F.A. Premier League 1999
European Champions League 1999
F.A. Cup 1999
F.A. Premier League 1997
F.A. Premier League 1996
F.A. Cup 1996
F.A. Premier League
When you look at Andy Cole's medal haul there can be no doubt he is one of the most important Manchester United players of the last few years. He began his football career in 1989 with George Graham's Arsenal, however things did'nt work out at Highbury. After being loaned to Fulham, Cole was offloaded for £500,000 to Bristol City in 1992 but Kevin Keegan quickly spotted his developing talent. A year later, in March 1993, Andy joined Newcastle United for £1,750,000 and quickly became a goal scoring sensation. He gained hero status on Tyneside, helping the Geordies secure promotion to the Premier League in his first season.
The following season, his Premiership record total of 34 goals won him the European 'Golden Boot' and the 1994 PFA Young Player of the Year award. Then, in January 1995 Alex Ferguson stunned English football by taking Cole to Old Trafford in a £7 million deal (that included winger Keith Gillespie). The transfer caused uproar on a furious Tyneside as fans could'nt believe their idol had been sold to a bitter rival.
In his first season with the Reds, Cole scored twelve goals in seventeen games - a good return for any forward although five of them came famously in United's 9-0 defeat of Ipswich Town. The team and Cole finished empty handed that year but the following season he won both championship and FA Cup winners' medals as mighty United completed the Double for the second time by beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final.
Cole started the 1997-96 season with pneumonia, then broke both legs in a reserve team game in September. He never really got going that year but the 1997-98 campaign proved to be one of Cole's best seasons. He finished as United's top scorer with 25 goals but sadly with no medals to show for it as Arsenal took the honours.
The 1998-99 saw Cole striking up a brilliant, almost telepathic, partnership with new signing Dwight Yorke. They became the most lethal striking partnership in Europe and their 53 goals swept United to the Treble. Cole was playing some of the best football of his career: a total of 24 goals followed by the Premiership, FA Cup and European Cup winners medals, capped a brilliant season for Andy and United. It included his most famous goal of all-time, the delicate lob that clinched the Championship in the tense 2-1 win against Spurs at Old Trafford.
During Andy's time at United his improvement as a player was obvious as he got better with each passing year.
An out and out goal poacher with Newcastle, on arrival at Old Trafford he often failed to meet Eric Cantona's high standards when it came to passing. But after a few years he'd become a much more rounded player who could not only score but pass and create. Cole's main strength was lightning pace and on the turn with his back to opponents whilst his movement and positional play was excellent.
His shot to goal ratio was often the best in the Premiership from 1998-2001. If anyone doubts his ability they can look at how he scored a goal for United on average every 1.854 games he started in. Like most strikers he went on dips in form, unfortunately at Manchester United this is much more noticeable. Cole had to endure the criticism of the media and was ignored by England managers Keegan and Hoddle.
1999-2000 was the season Andy Cole scored some of the most spectacular goals of his career. The bicycle kick at home to Leicester has to be seen to be believed as words cannot do it justice, such was the athleticism and skill of this 20 yard effort that it left even Old Trafford momentarily stunned. There was 4 magnificent goals in the same game against old club Newcastle. Then there was a superb mid-air volley from close range against Watford, an acrobatic overhead kick against Marseille and not forgetting the turn and delicate floating lob against Coventry City. A season total of 22 goals and to top all that he scored the vital winner that sunk Leeds and put United on course for the Championship.
In 2000-2001 the his season was disrupted by a troublesome ankle injury which limited his appearances but still he scored vital goals for United away to Chelsea and Sunderland. Cole now seemed to play better with the rejuvenated Teddy Sheringham as strike partner than Dwight Yorke. Andy's highlight was the hat-trick he scored against Anderlecht, which saw him overtake Denis Law as United's all-time top scorer in the European Cup (14) and he currently still holds the record with 19 goals. He also finally established himself as a regular England international in Sven Goran Erikssons's team, scoring his first goal against Albania in March.
The arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy spelt the end for Cole at United. The £19 million Dutchman was brilliant from August 2001 onwards and coupled with a change in tactics by the manager it meant Cole was no longer a first choice in the starting eleven. Desperate for first team action and anxious that being on the bench would lose him a place in England's 2002 World Cup squad, Cole left Manchester United for Blackburn Rovers on 29 December 2001 for £7.5 million. He has since went on to play in the Premiership for Fulham, Manchester City and Portsmouth.
The fact is, that throughout his United career Andy Cole scored consistently and reliably no matter who his strike partner. Under-rated is what might best describe him, but United fans won't forget his huge contribution throughout the clubs' most successful period.
