Editor-In-Chief with 20 years experience covering the betting angles to breaking news stories. Daily slots player, Portsmouth fan and League Snooker Player
Interview April 2025
- “I don't see Marcus Rashford fitting in at a club like Newcastle!”
- Victor Osimhen would be a “very good move” for Man Utd
- Newcastle and Man Utd “need an out-and-out goal scorer”
- Newcastle will get a top 5 finish and Champions League football next season
- VAR is nonsense
- Newcastle tipped to beat Brighton at the weekend
- “Jamie Vardy can still play Premier League football”.
Speaking exclusively to OLBG.com, Cole says he’s against the suggestion that Newcastle should sign Marcus Rashford, adding, “I don't see Marcus Rashford fitting in at a club like Newcastle!”
The former Man Utd centre forward says, Victor Osimhen would be a “very good move” for Man Utd, and he’s just what they need upfront.
When asked about Liam Delap being linked to Man Utd and Newcastle, Cole says, “he's young and we can talk about ‘he's one for the future’, but…I think both teams, they need an out-and-out goal scorer”.
Cole believes Jamie Vardy will have options and says, “I think he can still play Premier League football”.
The former Newcastle Utd player backs Newcastle getting a top 5 finish and Champions League football next season.
He’s also tipped Newcastle to beat Brighton at the weekend, adding, “If Newcastle keep going the way they're going, it's going to be a very tough game for Brighton.”
When asked if he ever considered getting into management, Cole says, “For people of my generation and people of my race, it's very difficult to get into management because it's like hitting your head against a brick wall”.
Adding to the VAR debate, Cole says, “I look at VAR and I just think it's total nonsense”.
Man Utd & Newcastle Utd Q&A
Will Man Utd win the Europa League?
We all know Athletic Bilbao are the favourites and they're possibly the best team Manchester United are going to face in the competition.
I think everyone knows it's going to be a tough game, but you just never know what can happen.
Europa League Unpredictability 🔥
Man Utd play Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night - what are your thoughts and score predictions for the game?
Tough game. It's going to be a really tough game.
As I said, I think this is possibly the best team Manchester United have faced so far in the competition.
Going away the first leg, if you can come back with a draw, you'll be more than happy with that.
They got away with a draw at the weekend against Bournemouth and didn't play particularly well.
Like I said, with European competition, if you can get a draw away from home and then take it back to Old Trafford, anything is possible!
European Nights Drama ✨
Man Utd travel to Brentford on Sunday - what are your thoughts and score predictions for the game?
Another tough game!
Brentford are in decent form themselves.
Manchester United on the road have been a little bit indifferent form-wise.
I think it could all go down to what kind of result they get on Thursday night and then you can go from there.
Manchester United this season, as everyone knows, have been a little bit inconsistent and even more so on the road, so you just don't know.
It depends what Manchester United turn up.
Inconsistent Devils 🔴⚪️
Man Utd have been heavily linked with Victor Osimhen recently - would he be a good signing?
If that happened, I think that would be a real positive signing.
He’s an experienced player who played in the Italian league and is now playing in Turkey.
He can score goals and leads the line extremely well.
He’s a bit of an old-fashioned centre forward and I think that's what Manchester United could do with now upfront - that little bit of experience.
If that did materialise, that would be a very good move.
Old-School Striker Needed! 💪
It sounds like Matheus Cunha will be joining in the summer also - how good can he become for them?
Talented, he's a talented player.
I think he's proved that at Wolves and he's been very much a Wolves' talisman this season, if you see some of the quality of his goals.
I know people might turn around and say, he might have a little bit of an attitude problem, but I wouldn't say that.
He plays on the edge, and I think that's what brings the quality out of him.
Future Star in the Making 🌟
Ian Wright recently suggested that Newcastle should sign Marcus Rashford - would that be a good move for all involved?
I'd be honest, I'm not sure where that one's come from.
I don't see Marcus Rashford fitting in at a club like Newcastle, and I think Marcus will have opportunities to go to certain clubs in the summer, no doubt, but I couldn't see Marcus fitting into the way Newcastle play.
So I would be very surprised about it!
Unlikely Move for Rashford 🚫
Newcastle travel to Brighton on Sunday - what are your thoughts and score predictions for the game?
Well, if Newcastle keep going the way they're going, it's going to be a very tough game for Brighton.
I think they've been in good form.
Buoyant after winning the League Cup final.
I know that they had a tough result against Aston Villa, but I think that's been the only blip so far for them coming into the last few games of the season.
So, they had a great result at the weekend, and if they go into next week again, against Brighton in the same kind of form, I think they’ll be okay.
Magpies Flying High 🖤🤍
So you're saying Newcastle for the win?
Yeah, Newcastle, like I said, buoyant after winning the League Cup final.
Tough result against Aston Villa, but they've picked up again and they’ve kicked on again.
They're desperate for Champions League football and they know if they get two, possibly three good results from now until the end of the season, then they've got Champions League football.
Top Four Dreams 🔥
Can Newcastle finish in the top 5 and get Champions League Football next season?
I think they will finish in the top five, definitely!
I think the season they've had, finally winning themselves a trophy.
If you look at three seasons now, they stayed up by the skin of their teeth in the Premier League and now we're talking about qualifying for the Champions League again.
I think the players and the managers have done a fantastic job at Newcastle.
Champions League Beckons! 🌟
Both Man United and Newcastle have been heavily linked with Liam Delap - would he be a good signing for both teams?
I think wherever he goes, if he does go in the summer, it's going to be very interesting.
I think he's had his first season of the Premier League and he's got 12 or 13 goals.
He's young and we can talk about, yeah, he's one for the future, but the teams that you mentioned (Newcastle and Manchester United), I think both teams, they need an out-and-out goal scorer.
Isak has been unbelievable for Newcastle this season and if he can stay away from injuries, come next season, I think Newcastle can propel themselves forward again.
In Manchester United's case, they've got two young strikers now who have found it really difficult, and I think they're at that stage now where a little bit of experience would do them really well.
I've already mentioned someone like Osimhen, but someone who's got that experience to play at a club like Manchester United and score goals throughout their career.
I think both teams would possibly like to do something like that, a little bit more experience.
Big Future for Delap 🚀
Could Jamie Vardy still do it for a big club in the Premier League next season?
I think he can still play Premier League football.
He might have lost half a yard of pace, but he's still blisteringly quick.
Any team who wants to play like that and get in behind, I think Vardy is an individual who can do just that.
No doubt, he'll have a few options.
I think he's always kept himself in very good shape, so wherever he ends up come the summer, I wish him all the best.
Veteran Goalscorer Still Has It! 🎯
General Q&A
Did you ever consider going into management yourself?
Management? I thought about it, but ultimately I turned and said to myself, ‘For people of my generation and people of my race, it's very difficult to get into management because it's like hitting your head against a brick wall’.
All the nonsense that people turn and say about experience, or you need this qualification, or you need that qualification.
A lot of it was a lot of nonsense back then, and to be given the opportunity at the level you believe you're good at was never going to materialise.
It's a little bit like now, there's a lot of lip service regarding black or ethnic minority management or cultures, but they talk more than they actually do, put it that way.
Management Barriers Still Remain 🚧
Who was your favourite strike partner at Newcastle?
Peter Beardsley.
Fantastic player and individual, I learnt a hell of a lot from him.
I've said many times, but I think Peter was a little bit before his time in the way he used to play.
Everyone talks about this role now of dropping in, or as they say now, in between the lines, which I get a little bit confused about.
Peter was doing that a very long time ago and I don't think he’s spoken about the way he should be spoken about because he was a fantastic player.
For someone like me, when I was young, learning the game to play with someone like that and learn so much.
A Mentor Like No Other ✨
Was Sir Alex Ferguson more of a father figure or a boss to you?
I think if you speak to anyone, they’ll say a bit of both.
As a manager, a fantastic manager, and as you said, the boss, he was the boss of the football club and a manager that commanded respect.
When people mention Father Figure, I think he was an individual that at any stage you could sit down and have a conversation with if you're having a sticky period in your life or whatever it may be, a sticky period at home.
He was always there to listen, always there to give you advice or give you those two or three days off to sort out whatever your problem was.
So a testament to him as a manager as well as a father figure.
Fergie's Fatherly Touch 🤝
Were there any moments where Sir Alex gave you some tough love and as a result, you improved from that advice?
Tough love, that's what I was brought up with.
For me, it was fine!
Growing up in a Caribbean home, that's what it is, tough love, so playing for Alex Ferguson, there's nothing he did that I didn't experience when I was younger growing up with my own father.
It was what it was.
Strength Through Challenge 🛡️
Do you think that the managing style suited you then?
Yeah, I believe so!
For me personally, I didn't mind the manager having a go at me, so long as it was for the right reasons.
You always take it on the chin (well, I did anyway) playing for Sir Alex Ferguson.
I always knew all he wanted was the best start, just like my father did.
Give 100%, give me everything you've got and don't quit. I never did that, so yeah, more than happy there.
No Half Measures 🎯
What was Kevin Keegan like as a manager compared to Sir Alex?
Totally opposite. I've said this many times,
Kevin was very much an emotional manager.
Very bubbly when things were going well, but then when things got a little bit sticky, he was totally the opposite.
Sometimes, as a manager, you can't be that emotional, when the players are looking to you for a little bit more strength, maybe a little bit more guidance.
If the manager is still in a little bit of a mood because you lost at the weekend, it gets a little bit sticky.
I didn't understand it because I was a very young player when I was playing for Kevin, but the senior pros that I was playing with, they got it more than me, and as I moved on to Manchester United, I started to understand what management was more about.
Managing Emotions in Football 🎭
What advice would you give the 20-year-old Andy Cole if you could go back?
Exactly the same - nothing changes for me.
I look back on my career and I look back on how I did it, how tough it was, rejection, being told you're not good enough, all that kind of stuff.
Just get your head down, work hard and prove all those individuals wrong.
So if I was 20 now, I would do exactly the same thing because exactly the same things would be said about me.
So I wouldn't have changed and the people that I'd come across when I was that age, hopefully they wouldn't change in how they felt about me because they spurred me on.
Stay Focused, Stay Hungry 🎯
How much would a prime Andy Cole cost in today’s game?
How much? Whatever anyone would want to pay for me.
That's the way I view it.
It's not for me to turn around and say I'm worth X, Y.
If someone wants to pay, I don't know, 20, 50, 70, 100 million, that's up to them.
I think ultimately we don't set the valuation. It's whatever someone wants to pay.
Worth Whatever You Pay! 💰
Who was the best captain you ever played under - and why?
Best captain was most probably Roy Keane.
Fantastic captain and leader.
I played under Steve Bruce, he was a fantastic captain as well.
I was fortunate to play for some real top leaders, but yeah, I'd go with Roy.
Captain Fantastic ⚡
What music got you fired up before kick-off?
Back then, there wasn't really any music being played.
I think Wimbledon kind of made that really big, but when I was at Manchester United or Newcastle, there wasn't really a lot of music being played in the dressing room, unless you had your own personal music that you'd listen to.
That was the Walkmans back then.
Old School Pre-Game! 🔥
Was there ever a club you regretted not joining?
No!
I'm very lucky to have played for the clubs that I played for, i.e Manchester United and Newcastle.
I'm proud that I had the opportunity to play for those clubs, proud that I had the opportunity to leave a legacy at those two clubs as well, as well as the rest of the clubs that I played for.
I wouldn't change anything.
No Looking Back 🚀
Would you have gone to Saudi Arabia for the money if it was available in your era?
Don't forget, if you look at Saudi Arabia itself, then maybe you get to a certain age that you've achieved everything you want to achieve, i.e. in the Premier League.
You get to mid-30s, then you could look at Saudi Arabia and there's a possibility, but if you're 25, 26 and you're playing for one of the big clubs, you wouldn’t because you know that you still want to win the Premier League, you still want to win the Champions League and you still want to do things like that.
So, if I had my time and I was mid-30s playing for one of the lesser Premier League teams, yeah, I'd consider it, but if I'm the peak of my powers and I'm at one of the big boys, then no.
Glory Before Gold 🥇
Would you rather play in today’s game or the one you grew up in?
I would never change the era that I played in. Never.
Old School Forever 📜
Who in today’s game reminds you of your own playing style?
Nobody.
I'll be very, very honest, nobody reminds me of myself.
Like I said, the game's changed.
If you look at football and centre-forwards now, there's no number nines I look at and think ‘he plays like me’ because there aren’t any number nines and that's why so many clubs are looking out for number nines now, because there's not many, if any, and everyone wants them.
No Replacements for True No.9s 🥅
Who’s the best Centre Forward in the world right now?
Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland have to be up there.
You know, but I think that Haaland is the only out and out number 9. Isak is an individual I love watching play, play off the left, play in the middle, drop short, run at people.
I'd mostly put those two up.
Top Strikers of the Game 🔥
Is there one player that you never wanted to face again after playing with them?
No, never bothered me. Never bothered me in the slightest.
No Fear Mentality 💥
Who was the most underrated player that you played with?
Ronny Johnsen.
He was an individual that could do a man-to-man job.
He could play central midfield, he could play centre half and would never let anybody down.
When he did a man-to-man job he did it with great vigour and knew his role extremely well.
When he played centre half with Jaap Stam or with maybe David May, fantastic and when he played centre midfield, exactly the same thing.
So he was an individual who could do many different things.
The Unsung Hero 🛡️
Was there one player that you'd wished you'd played with throughout your time?
Having the opportunity to play against so many great players, yeah.
Zinedine Zidane, R9 Ronaldo, Alessandro Del Piero, there's so many players that I came across and just thought ‘wow these guys are all special players’ so yeah I think those are three players that spring to mind.
Dream Teammates 🤩
In today's game, do you think players are too soft?
Yeah, a little bit, but that's the way football has become.
Football has become a no-contact sport.
I watch NBA and I think NBA is more contact than there is in football at the moment.
I think generationally it has become little bit softer.
Softening of the Game? 🤔
If VAR existed when you played, do you think you would have had more goals ruled out or more penalties given?
Most probably, because I might get in trouble here, but I look at VAR and I just think ‘it's total nonsense’, I really do.
Even more so yesterday when I’m watching the Bournemouth vs Manchester United game and the centre forward gets sent off and he’d slipped.
How they can't see that by watching it a million times and how the referee can't see it by watching it a million times and then they end up sending him off.
They take it to review, you turn and say, ‘what a nonsense’.
What an absolute nonsense!
The VAR Debate 🔥
Being brutally honest, do you think the standard of defending in Premier League has dropped now compared to your era?
It's a little bit different.
Yeah, that's why I always say I wouldn't change the era I played in.
I think my era there were better defenders, it was more physical and I look at the standard of Premier League defending now, it's totally different.
When Defending Meant Defending 🚧
Interview March 2025
Speaking exclusively to OLBG, Andy Cole says Alexander Isak is the best striker in the Premier League.
The former Manchester United legend says every manager since Alex Ferguson's retirement has found it hard and Reuben Amorim just needs more time.
The ex-Newcastle player says I believe Newcastle can qualify for next season's Champions League if they can keep ‘Alexander Isak fit from now till the end of the season’.
He goes on to say, it’s been really tough for Rasmus Højlund but he works really hard and just needs a little bit of luck.
It’s been a difficult start to life for Ruben Amorim at Man Utd. Do you think he’s the right man to bring the glory days back to the club?
Ruben Amorim
Perseverance is the key, it's been a tough start for him.
I think every manager that's come to Manchester since Alex Ferguson's retirement has found it difficult, but I think with Ruben Amorim, just give him time.
Just like anything in life, it takes a little bit of time.
Manchester United have unfortunately had a difficult season.
I don't think anyone could have expected this season to be as difficult as it has been, but you've appointed him, so give him as much time as possible to get things right.
Patience for Amorim?
Wayne Rooney has called Ruben Amorim ‘naive’ for saying Man Utd’s goal is to win the Premier League - do you agree with Wayne?
I think a club like Manchester United, that's got to be an objective, to try and win the league.
Of course, that's going to take time to win the league, but any big club's objective is to win the league.
Don't forget, Manchester United used to be the biggest force when it came to winning the Premier League.
It's been difficult over the past few years, since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, but it's a process.
Giving the manager that opportunity and time to get Manchester United back to where they are, that's going to take a little bit of time, and it’s going to take time to be able to win the Premier League as well.
Man Utd’s Premier League dream?
Marcus Rashford has made a promising start to his Aston Villa career. Do you think it was a mistake to let him leave in January and do you think he has a future at Old Trafford?
Marcus Rasford
I think on the first question, only time will tell, he's gone there, he looks revitalised, he looks like he's out there enjoying his football, which is the most important thing (to go and enjoy your football).
What happens with Marcus and Manchester United in the summer? That's going to be down to Marcus Rashford and Manchester United.
I think it's always tough to speculate about players' futures and what's going on from what's not going on, especially when you don't know what the background of it is.
Ultimately, I just wish both parties all the best, if they do go separate ways, or work it out (whatever it may be), I just want whatever is best for both parties.
Rashford’s future?
Is Rasmus Højlund good enough for Man United at the moment?
I think with Rasmus Højlund, it’s been really tough for him, maybe even tougher due to the fact that he's a young man going into Manchester United.
Manchester United are not creating many chances, not scoring many goals, and really being thrust on the deep end, especially when you’ve got no experts to be able to play with and guide you through it.
I’d also find it tough in that position and I think the positive with Rasmus is he works his socks off.
He works extremely hard, never gives up and sometimes when you're in that position you just need that little bit of luck.
Fingers crossed he'll be able to get that soon.
Højlund’s challenge?
Is Joshua Zirkzee good enough for Man United and what are your thoughts on him?
Similar to Rasmus Højlund.
I was fortunate, when I went to Manchester United, I had a hell of a lot of experience there, that could help me through my difficult times, not scoring goals or lacking a bit of confidence or whatever.
The two boys you've mentioned there, it's been very difficult because they've gone into a team that's finding form hard to come by.
Scoring goals is hard to come by and they’re trying to gather momentum in a team that's finding it a little bit tougher than most at the moment.
So fingers crossed they’ll be able to turn it around.
Zirkzee’s challenge?
What did you make of your old teammate Roy Keane saying that ‘talent is not enough’ about Bruno Fernandes, and that he is ‘not a fighter’? Do you agree with him?
Bruno Fernandes
In my generation, we were such a good team, such a positive team that was winning week in, week out.
That makes things a little bit easier, but they're two different personalities as well (Roy Keane and Bruno Fernandes).
I think we all know what Roy is, Roy is an unbelievable fighter and that’s the way he led the team, everyone could see his persona.
I'm not going to make that judgment because I think Bruno's a fantastic player and I think the way he leads the team is totally different to the way Roy led the team.
Two different individuals, two different generations.
I think they’re two fantastic players, but ultimately how you used to lead the team back in the 90’s when we played, to how you lead a team now is different.
The way people are, they are totally different generations.
Keane vs. Bruno?
Man Utd play Real Sociedad on Thursday night - what are your thoughts and score predictions for the game?
Tough game. Away leg first, I think gives Manchester United an opportunity to bounce back as well, especially after going out in the FA Cup against Fulham on penalties.
It's a great opportunity as well for them to get back into Europe now.
If they can go there and get a positive result on the first leg, bring it home to Old Trafford and go from there.
It won't be an easy game, I think Real Sociedad should be saying the same thing as well, having the first leg at home.
I think if Manchester go to get a positive result, you never know what will happen.
Utd’s Euro test?
Man Utd play Arsenal on Sunday - what are your thoughts and score predictions for the game?
Well, I think that all sets it up if you have a good result on Thursday (against Real Sociedad).
If you have a good result on Thursday, it makes things a little bit better. You can go to the game against Arsenal with more confidence.
They’re two very tough games, I can't even make a score prediction.
Manchester United’s native form is a little bit unpredictable, so I'm just hoping that they can go into both games with confidence and pull out a couple of good results.
Man Utd’s tough schedule?
Man Utd v Arsenal betting Odds
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Newcastle are battling for European places in the Premier League this season - do you think they can qualify for next season’s Champions League?
I believe so, yeah!
I think if they can keep Alexander Isak fit from now till the end of the season, that's an even bigger boost for them, because of the way he's playing and the way he scores goals.
I think that the form they've shown, they're a little bit inconsistent at the moment, but I think if they get themselves winning a few more matches, they'll be okay.
They'll be good to go.
Newcastle's Champions League Hopes
Do you think Newcastle can finish in the top four?
Newcastle fans are dreaming of European nights
Yeah, I think they've got more than enough.
For Newcastle, they can get a little bit inconsistent at times.
If you look at the weekend's result for them, being the home team, I don't think people would’ve expected them to have lost the game there, but they did.
If you look at the game when they played against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final, to get themselves to the final.
If you look at the form in the last few games, they've been a little bit up and down, but you just don't know.
Newcastle's Top Four Chances
How do you rate Newcastle’s chances against Liverpool in the upcoming Carabao Cup final?
It’s a cup final, anything's possible and that's why we love cup competitions, due to the fact that you get to a final and you never know what could happen.
That little bit of luck can make you win the cup.
That little bit of unluckiness makes you lose the cup final, you know?
I think Newcastle will give them a good game.
I really think Newcastle have been in that position where they've been getting to quite a few cup finals recently and I think they just need a little bit of luck to try and win them a cup that they've been yearning for, for so long.
Newcastle’s Cup Final Hopes
What did you make of Anthony Gordon’s red card last night (Sunday 2nd)? Do you think Newcastle’s appeal will be successful?
I'd be surprised, I didn't think it was a red card in the first place, but then when you raise your hands, that's the letter of the law nowadays.
It will be very disappointing if he’s not able to play in the cup final, but I mean, the crazy thing is just a bit of stupidity is possibly costing him a chance of playing in the cup final.
Gordon’s Red Card Drama
Is Alexander Isak the best striker in the Premier League right now?
Andy Cole thinks Isak is the best EPL striker right now
At this present moment in time yeah!
When he stays fit, with the amount he gives to his team, not just in the goalscoring department, but his creativity as well, in terms of what he creates for his teammates.
So, I’d say so, yeah, definitely!
Isak’s Elite Form
Newcastle travel to West Ham on Monday night - what are your thoughts and score predictions for the game?
It's a bit like Man United, Newcastle are a little bit inconsistent.
It kind of depends on what Newcastle turn up, because they go on a good run and then they lose again when you don't expect them to lose, and then they'll have a little bit of indifferent form before getting themselves back in form.
It's a hard one to call. Hard one to call.
Newcastle's Unpredictable Form 🏴☠️
What do you make of new Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael?
Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael
Hopefully, he'll be able to keep them in a close position.
My son worked with him at Barnsley briefly when he was a manager there.
I think fingers crossed for Blackburn that they've made the right appointment to try and get them in the position they need to be in.
Blackburn’s New Era Begins! 🔵⚫
Do you think Blackburn will be promoted?
I'm not sure.
It's another team to be afraid of.
Their form is so-so. They went on a good run, got themselves into position, but surprisingly, for whatever reason, the manager decided to move on to a team that is fighting relegation.
I think that surprised me a lot, but then you can look into that and say, well, there's something telling in that.
We'll just have to wait and see.
Will Blackburn Make It to the Top? 🚀
Blackburn travel to Derby County to face old manager John Eustace on Saturday - what sort of reaction do you think he’ll get?
John Eustace
From the Blackburn fans, no doubt it'll be a little bit of a hostile one because they were disappointed he left, especially when they were in such a good position.
Whatever the Derby County offer was, it must have been something to turn his head and take on a club that is fighting relegation.
A Heated Reception Awaits? 🔥
You finished your career at your hometown club, Nottingham Forest. They’re currently favourites to finish in the top four this season - Do you think they will be playing Champions League football next season?
The craziest thing is that I really hope they do.
I mean, that's why we love football, ultimately that's why we love the Premier League.
To know that they stayed up last season, virtually by the skin of their teeth, and a season later, they've got possibly a chance of finishing in a Champions League spot.
Fair play to them, it’s a fairy tale.
I hope it can happen for them.
Nottingham Forest’s Dream Season? 🌳🔥
How did your move to Man Utd come about? What happened between you and Kevin Keegan at Newcastle?
Totally out of the blue to be fair, the way that came about.
I remember playing for Newcastle in the Cup game against Blackburn on a Sunday, played in the FA Cup, went home, went for a warm-down Monday morning, went home, nothing really changed there.
Then, just after I watched Man United on TV, they played Sheffield United, I got a call saying that the chance for me to move to Manchester United from Newcastle was on – and that was that.
So that's how random, how quickly it was done, and especially not knowing. If I'd known naturally I was going to move on, I wouldn't have played in the cup on the Sunday because that meant I was cup-tied for that season.
So yeah, it was very, very random.
A Transfer Out of Nowhere! 🚨
What were your initial thoughts when you got that call?
I didn't believe it, I've got to be very honest.
I didn't believe it due to the fact that I played on the Sunday and they won on the Monday, and the manager never said a word to me. I never spoke to Kevin until basically I was driving down to Manchester from Newcastle, and that was later on that Monday evening after the game.
So that might have been about 10, 11 o'clock that evening, which was very, very strange.
The Late Night Transfer Shock! 🌙
What are your memories of Man Utd’s treble-winning season back in 1998/99? What was your highlight during that incredible campaign?
Cole and Fergie
All of it. Just all of it.
It's such a special memory to be able to live with, something that you never forget.
I think for me personally, it's just the enjoyment of the whole season, how we got into the Champions League, going through the qualifiers first—I think people forget that. Qualifying and getting in the group of death.
Ourselves, Barcelona, Munich, and Brondby—getting through that, and then, I mean, we had a tough quarter against Inter and a tough semi against Juventus.
We definitely did it the hard way in the Champions League. And then, in the league, we got pushed all the way by Arsenal, and obviously in the FA Cup, we had to go to a replay.
So yeah, it's a very, very special memory.
1999: A Season Like No Other! 🔴
You’re the fourth all-time top goalscorer in Premier League history despite not taking penalties. Why did you not take penalties for your respective clubs, and do you regret that decision at all?
I don't think it was a refusal—I think I was more of the mindset that I'd like to be able to believe that I could score goals in open play.
None of the clubs that I played for tried to force penalties on me.
They said, ‘OK, it's your decision, if you change your mind, you're more than welcome to take penalties.’
That was then. I think that's what makes me even more proud of my record—the fact that I didn’t need to take them.
We've got the number that I got to in the end. I think during that time, there's been a natural lack of respect for what I achieved and not being given the credit I deserve. The fact that, with one penalty in there, I scored 186 goals in open play, and everyone seems to forget that.
It is what it is.
One of the Best Ever! 🎯
You only made 15 appearances for England despite constantly being one of the best strikers each season in the Premier League - do you feel you deserved more caps?
Yeah, I could sit here and say that I should have won more caps, but the good thing is, you know, I don't sit at home rocking myself to sleep worrying about it.
So I think that tells you, in the end, I wasn't really fussed about it, to be fair.
Underrated for England? 🏴
What was it like playing alongside Eric Cantona and what was he like in the dressing room?
Cantona
Eric, he was a maverick, he was totally different.
You don't see that in the modern game—a maverick, an individual who played the way he played and voiced his opinion about things the way he wanted to.
He just did what he wanted to do. I enjoyed that, I totally enjoyed it.
It's something that you can gain experience from.
When you have someone like Højlund who hasn't had the opportunity to learn off someone like a Cantona or something like that, it's totally different—definitely.
Cantona: The King of Old Trafford! 🔴
Your strike partnership with Dwight Yorke is still considered one of the best in Premier League history. What made your partnership so effective?
Just being what we were as people. We were totally opposite, but always got on as people.
We always used to have a laugh and joke, and I think just the respect we had for each other.
You know, we were going out on the football pitch just to enjoy it. Yorkie used to put a smile on his face, and ultimately, that used to make me laugh in the end.
It's all about enjoyment, which is the most positive thing.
One of the Greatest Strike Duos! 🔥
Are there any current striker partnerships that remind you of you and Dwight Yorke?
Dwight Yorke
No, because if you look at the current game, nothing's really played in partnerships anymore. No doubt within time that will come back.
Everyone usually plays now with three up front—two wide men and a central figure being able to go wherever he likes as well, very much interchanging.
So the game's not really based on partnerships anymore.
Have Striker Duos Become a Thing of the Past? ⏳
Why do you think we’re seeing less and less teams set up with two strikers, and should teams think about going back in that direction?
Just football, and I think football's forever changing, ever evolving.
I mean, football's a little bit like fashion. Flares go in, and flares come out.
Tight pants come in, tight pants go out.
So I think that's a bit like football. I think it's a bit of the same. I think within time, you'll see teams line up with a 4-4-2 or something similar, and then all of a sudden, the world will turn again.
Will Two-Striker Formations Return? ⚔️
What was your favourite goal that you ever scored in your career?
Most probably the one at Nou Camp, in the Champions League.
Yeah, just the team play and the play between me and Dwight Yorke. Yeah, it's very special.
An Iconic Champions League Moment! 🏆
What trophy win meant the most to you in your career?
Oh, I think winning my first Premier League title was very special, and then being able to win the Champions League was special.
You grow up as a kid watching that tournament, it's something that you want to play in, and being able to win it was, yeah, really, really special.
The Ultimate Prize in Football! 🏅
Who was the best manager you ever played under and why?
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson—not just as a manager, but as an individual who could get into your head and find out what you were as a person, not just a footballer, but as a person as well.
Yeah, really, really good.
The Greatest Manager of All Time? 🏆
Who was the hardest player you played with?
I think you go, you train, you have a laugh and joke, you respect each other for what you are because you're at that level, you're playing on the same team and you're making each other better.
The best players I played with were Scholes and Keane—fantastic footballers. But saying that, I played in a team with many of them.
The Best of the Best! 🌟
Which English ground had the best atmosphere you played at?
St James Park Newcastle // yellow book ltd, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
I think playing at St James' Park was always very special. The atmosphere was always electric. Playing at Anfield and Elland Road was great also.
Yeah, I think those are the ones that get the juices flowing, you know. When you go there with certain teams, the passion of the fans is better, it makes the atmosphere even more electric.
The Best Stadium Atmosphere in England? 🏟️🔥
Which European ground had the best atmosphere you played at?
The Bernabeu, The Nou Camp, The San Siro.
The list is endless when it comes to Champions League games.
You see so many of them when you're a kid growing up.
You think, ‘I’d love to play at certain grounds’.
I think European football has an endless supply of great stadiums, especially with all the history of all the clubs as well.
