Ex-Manchester United favourite Andy Cole thinks that new signing Falcao is one of a dying breed of out-and-out goalscorers left in professional football.
The Colombian striker arrived at United from Monaco on transfer deadline day and Cole is looking forward to seeing him in full flow.
Falcao has just returned to fitness after a cruciate knee ligament injury kept him out of this summer’s World Cup – but he has shown glimpses of his quality with an assist for Robin van Persie’s opener against Leicester before striking the bar.
And Cole, who scored 120 goals in a six-year spell at Old Trafford, is in no doubt of his quality.
“There were flashes the other day at Leicester and everyone knows what a quality player he is,” the 1998/99 treble winner told the club’s official site.
“I wouldn’t say there are others like him out there – the old-fashioned number nine is a dying breed.
“There are not many out-and-out goalscorers who want to run into the box and score goals.”
Hitman Cole was part of a fearsome attacking quartet for the Red Devils, also including Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham.
Sir Alex Ferguson managed the quartet to devastating effect, most notably when he brought Solskjaer and Sheringham off the bench to turn the 1999 Champions League Final on its head to secure a historic treble.
The former England international is unsure how Louis van Gaal will utilise United’s abundance of attacking talent – but thinks it’s a great problem for the Dutchman.
“I think when you bring in all those players, you are going to create a problem,” Cole said.
“It’s a healthy problem when you’ve got good strikers but, as a manager, you’ve got to make those decisions and balance the rest of the team if you play them all together.”
Falcao, on loan for the season, has outlined his hope to stay at United but is yet to open his account for the club, although he impressed during his first start.
However, Cole is confident he will quickly become a fans favourite once he is up and running.
“When you have someone like Falcao, if he does score goals, he will be treasured here,” said Cole.
“He is very brave. You don’t see a lot of that any more in the game.
“He’s a quality player. It’s why he went to Monaco in the first place for £50million.”
Image courtesy of Sky Sports via YouTube with thanks
