Andy Cole: Manchester United need to believe they can get a result at Manchester City this weekend.

Manchester United’s preparations for Sunday’s Manchester derby took a setback over the weekend after they were beaten 2-1 at Old Trafford by a depleted Fulham. Despite the defeat, former Red Devil Andy Cole has said that his former side have to go to the Etihad believing that they will get a result, but concedes that the club’s fans will be worried about what’s to come on Sunday. In an exclusive interview with Betfred, Cole discusses Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ‘refreshing’ comments on the culture at Manchester United, Marcus Rashford to Paris Saint-Germain rumours and why he wants his former club to remain at Old Trafford instead of moving to a new stadium. 

In your opinion, what went wrong for Manchester United in their defeat to Fulham on Saturday? Are their chances of finishing in the top four gone?

“I think it’s just inconsistency again. It was a very disappointing result, especially at home. I’m not being disrespectful, but Manchester United should expect to beat Fulham at home, but if you look at their last few games, they needed a last minute goal to beat Wolves and I was at the game against Luton and they scraped it, despite having a few chances to wrap the game up. 

“I’ve said it a few times now, but Manchester United would have to go on an unbelievable run to finish in the top four and when you get a result like they did against Fulham, that makes things even harder. Aston Villa won on Saturday and Tottenham now have a game in hand, so it just makes everything harder.”

Do you have any confidence in Manchester United getting a positive result away to Manchester City on Sunday?

“The result on Saturday makes everything harder going into the derby. It’s that simple. As we all know, anybody can win in a derby but realistically, is anybody at Manchester United going into that game thinking that they’re going to thrash Manchester City? They have to go there believing that they can get a result, but a lot of the fans will be worried after the performance against Fulham on Saturday. They need to go there with a positive frame of mind believing that they’ll get a result. It’s as simple as that.”

Are you concerned by the form of Casemiro since his return from injury? 

“You have to be concerned because he was such a big influence last season. So if you’re such a big influence one season and then you’re struggling the next, then of course everybody’s going to ask questions. 

“In football, you can never rest on your laurels because everybody’s always questioning everything. In his debut season for Manchester United, Casemiro was incredible and you would have expected the same level of performances from him this season. 

“I don’t believe he’s the only Manchester United player whose performances have dipped, but people are questioning Casemiro’s performances because they expect so much more from him.”

Do Manchester United need a new left-back this summer when you consider Luke Shaw’s injury history?

“No, I wouldn’t say that because injuries are part and parcel of football. Unfortunately, Luke has had his fair share of injuries and one nasty injury in particular. I think it’s unbelievable that he’s been able to come through that one. 

“I don’t believe that Manchester United need to prioritise the signing of a left-back because when Luke is on song, he’s a very good player. I’ve seen people question whether he’s good enough to play for Manchester United, but we could be sitting here until tomorrow discussing who’s good enough to play for Manchester United and who’s not.”

After the confirmation of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of his stake at Manchester United, the INEOS CEO labelled the club’s organisation as ‘not good’ and claimed that the culture is ‘missing.’ Do you believe it’s refreshing to hear such an honest assessment?

“Ultimately, he’s got to be honest because he’s just spent a hell of a lot of money. He’s entitled to be honest if he’s spent that much money. I’ve realised something within football, if somebody says something honest, then people get upset by that. We’re in a world where if you tell a lie, you get more respect than you would if you were being honest. So for Sir Jim to say what he said was refreshing because everybody’s been asking that question for the past eleven years. 

“What’s happened to Manchester United? Why are Manchester United in this position? Why do they waste so much money on players? Why aren’t they getting results? These are the questions that people have wanted answered. Sir Jim is entitled to come out and say that the culture at the club isn’t right because that’s what he believes as the co-owner of Manchester United and he should be allowed to get that off his chest.”

Do you believe a new stadium is the best thing for Manchester United, after Ratcliffe claimed a new ground would be his personal preference?

“I don’t know. I look at the status of Old Trafford and it’s just magical. I look at what Real Madrid have done to the Santiago Bernabéu and what Barcelona are planning to do to the Camp Nou, these stadiums that have such a great history and because I’m old school, I don’t understand why they would want to leave this iconic stadium to build a new one and create history all over again. 

“I would love us to stay at Old Trafford, I really would, and hope that they just try their best at revamping the current stadium. If they can revamp it to the best of their ability, then it will be a magical stadium once again.”

Manchester United are aiming to appoint Newcastle United’s Dan Ashworth as their first-ever sporting director. Ashworth was put on gardening leave by his club last week. Do you believe an appointment of this ilk is desperately needed for Manchester United and would you be concerned by how short his tenure has been to date at Newcastle? 

“Being very, very honest, I don’t know what that role would consist of. Growing up in the era I grew up in, there was Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill and they always seemed to get deals over the line. I know that football’s moved on but ultimately, if Ashworth can do a job that allows Manchester United to attract better players, then if INEOS believes he’s the right man for the job, then he’s the right man for the job. 

“It’s like a player, if you believe a player is the right type of player you need at your football club, then you need to pay the money. They’re either going to pay Newcastle United what they want or they’re not. Sir Jim described him as a ‘10 out of 10’, so now it’s decision time. If they believe he’s that good and Newcastle have put a price on his head, then now it’s all down to whether Manchester United are prepared to pay it or not.”

The Times last week claimed that Marcus Rashford is on Paris Saint-Germain’s shortlist to replace Kylian Mbappé, who’s set for a move to Real Madrid this summer. Do you believe Manchester United fans would be sad to see Rashford leave when you consider complaints surrounding his application? Do you believe Rashford could thrive if he made the move to Paris?

“I don’t know. The only person you can get an honest answer from is Marcus. His form last season was exceptional and his form this season has been the complete opposite of that. I don’t know why because I don’t know what’s going on in his personal life, whether he’s enjoying his football or not or whether he still enjoys playing for Manchester United.

“What my mindset would be is not the same as what his would be, so I don’t like speculating about a player’s mindset. Whatever he or Manchester United decide to do this summer will be decided by both parties.”

Premier League quartet Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all said to be very interested in Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Would you like to see Ivan make the move to Old Trafford this summer, or do you believe there’s another team out of those four that’s better suited to him?

“I like Ivan and if he came to Manchester United, would he do a job? Absolutely he would. It all depends on what direction the club wants to go in. Rasmus Højlund is still a young man, so it’s all down to whether the club is prepared to bring in an older striker that can help him out at this stage. Manchester United’s signings of experienced forwards in recent times hasn’t exactly worked out.

“It all depends on what the transfer fee will be but for me personally, I believe Ivan would be a good signing for Manchester United if they make a move for him and he will definitely help Højlund.”

Do you believe Toney and Højlund could play in the same team for Manchester United?

“If you look at football now, and I’m not just talking about the Premier League because I watch my son play in League One regularly, every team tries to play exactly the same way. It’s unbelievable. Everybody’s trying to play like Manchester City, but I don’t understand it because most teams don’t have the personnel to play like Manchester City. 

“At some stage it’s possible that teams revert to a 4-4-2 because for me at the moment, football’s very predictable because you know that everybody plays the same way. Is anybody prepared to think outside the box? 

“Could Toney and Højlund play together? You never know because at the moment it’s just speculation and we don’t know how strong Manchester United’s interest in Ivan is at present. He’s going to have options because he’s a good player and Arsenal and Chelsea are crying out for a centre-forward at the moment.”

According to the Daily Telegraph, Liverpool are interested in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi, but could be challenged by Manchester United for his signature. Do you believe your former club should hijack any bid Liverpool make for the England international and do you believe he’s ready for such a big move?

“I really do like him and ever since he left Chelsea for Crystal Palace, he’s been one of their standout players. Crystal Palace paid good money for him as well. When you play for one of the lesser teams, then ultimately you do have to prove yourself week in, week out and I think he’s done exactly that. If that move materialised, then he could be a good signing for Manchester United. 

“It all depends on what direction Manchester United want to go in. Sir Jim Ratcliffe claimed the other day that he wants Manchester United to get back to the very top within the next three years. If you look at the inconsistency of the club over the last few years, then I believe it could take a little bit longer than that.

“If you’re a top player, then you will always have multiple options on the table, so it all depends on whether Manchester United can encourage Marc to move to them instead of any of their rivals.”

Pedro Neto is supposedly receiving interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, who’s been in excellent form for Wolves this season. Do you believe Neto is a player that’s destined for a huge Premier League move in the future and do you believe he could be a great signing for Manchester United?

“He’s another player that I enjoy watching. He scores goals, he’s creative and he’s another player that can definitely step up. Wolves would do very well to hold onto him because there’s no doubt that clubs are chasing him now. He’s another player for me that can play at the highest level.”

Do you believe Kobbie Mainoo should be in England’s Euro 2024 squad?

“I think Kobbie has been absolutely unbelievable. He was like that in pre-season and as soon as he got himself fit, he won a place in the starting eleven and he’s been fantastic. However, we shouldn’t be trying to push him on too quickly. We have seen that before, where England have taken certain players to tournaments only not to use them, and you ask yourself, what’s the point in that? Those players may as well have had a nice summer holiday off and had more preparation for the new season.

“If he didn’t go, that wouldn’t surprise me because England already has a few players in that position already, but he has been absolutely outstanding for Manchester United, especially when you consider how young he is. Right now, I think he needs to keep his feet on the ground and continue to improve. If he keeps playing the way he’s playing, he’ll be a central-midfielder for Manchester United for many, many years to come because I think his attitude and application is bang on.”

Do you believe Kobbie could potentially be one of the best midfielders in world football?

“If he keeps going the way he’s going, then why not? He doesn’t look phased and on the ball he’s extremely confident. He knows his job very well for such a young man. He covers the space nicely, he’s strong and to me he looks as if he’s a very ambitious young man. I certainly think he has all the ingredients and the qualities to go all the way, but he could be one of the many players we’ve seen who have had that quality early doors and not fulfilled their talent, so I’m really hoping that Kobbie fulfils his.

“Watching him at the moment in Manchester United’s midfield, he looks like their best player and he’s only 18 years of age, so that’s a testament to him.”

With Mason Mount said to be near a return to first-team action for Manchester United, where for you does he fit into your former club’s starting eleven? Is there a place for him?  

“I think it’s going to be difficult for him to get himself into the team. He’s had a really tough time at Manchester United since he’s arrived. He’s picked up injuries, pre-season didn’t go the way he would have liked and then when he’s had a few opportunities to impress, he’s never really set the world alight and he’s now been out injured for quite some time. It’s difficult to see where he fits in this team because nobody knows where he’s going to play. 

“I watched him a few times when he was on loan at Derby County and he looked like a decent player that played with a lot of energy and obviously when he was at Chelsea, he was the same sort of player. However, since he’s gone to Manchester United, I think he’s found it difficult to find his best position. Picking up the injuries and then not playing very well when he’s had the opportunity, I just think he needs to look at this season as a write-off, say to himself that the first season at Old Trafford was a tough one and let's see what next season brings.”

As one of the greatest goalscorers in Premier League history, how would you advise Rasmus Højlund to keep up this current spell of excellent form he’s in? 

“Enjoy it, just enjoy it. When he wasn’t scoring goals, he was working in areas that he didn’t have to work in, but when you’re not scoring goals and your confidence is not as high as you want it to be, you start working in areas that you shouldn’t be working in. He was chasing every ball down the channel and he was trying to make a difference. He got his first goal, then he got his second goal and slowly you could see his confidence grow.

“He’s a very old-fashioned centre-forward that wants to be fighting the centre-halves and you don’t see that nowadays. You don’t see centre-forwards fight centre-halves and that’s what he is, he’s old-fashioned. He looks to get in behind and stretch teams. He just needs to keep doing what he’s doing now and play within the 18-yard box, make runs in behind, keep getting in those positions where you know you’re going to get half a chance and demand the ball at all times, especially when you get into those areas.”

Considering Jadon Sancho’s current struggles at Borussia Dortmund, can you ever see him playing for Manchester United again and do you think they’re going to really struggle to find a buyer for him in the summer if the club wants to sell him?

“I honestly don’t know. In football, I’ve noticed, even in my time, we always seem to celebrate somebody’s downfall when they’re going through a rough patch. Any player can have a bad game. Are people saying that his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund has been an absolute disaster? Because I don’t believe it has. We get caught up in judging individuals based on one game because there’s always an agenda against people, but there’s a bigger picture than that. 

“Whether he does or doesn’t stay at Manchester United in the long-term, the kid is still a very talented player. You can all sit here and say he’s got to get his head right, but I think everyone needs to get their head and mindset right at times.

“It’s not worked out for him at the moment at Manchester United, but you just never know what’s going to happen. I listened to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments the other day regarding Mason Greenwood and how a decision regarding his future will be made in the summer, so it looks like they’re going to go back to that situation and review it, so I believe that Sancho will be in that discussion as well. Yes, he’s had a tough time, but can they address this problem? If they can’t address this problem, what is the best thing for Jadon Sancho as well as Manchester United? That’s the way they’ve got to look at things. 

“If you look at Manchester United over the last 11 years, how many players have come to the club, who have had a lot expected of them, and it’s not worked out and it’s always been down to the player? Everything can’t always be down to the player and everything can’t always be down to the club. The culture isn’t right, so you’ve got to look at many different things because too many players, and too many good players, have come to Manchester United and it’s not worked out. For me, that doesn’t make sense.”

Which club do you believe will win the Premier League title this season?

“I still think Manchester City will win it, but the way that Liverpool are moving at the moment, it could be one of those where Jürgen Klopp rides out into the sunset with a Premier League title. During the Carabao Cup final, he ended up playing six kids and at no stage did they look phased by the situation. Liverpool went out there, they attacked Chelsea, I wouldn’t go with Gary Neville when he called Chelsea ‘billion pound bottle jobs', but I just thought that Liverpool were fantastic in the end.

“For me, it’s between Liverpool and Manchester City to win the Premier League title this season. I know Arsenal are playing some good stuff, scoring a lot of goals, but I don’t think they have enough to win it for me. Manchester City have been there, Liverpool want to send their manager off on a high, so I think it’s going to be between them two.”