Andy Cole has opened up on his mindset when he completed his shock British record transfer from Newcastle United to Manchester United midway through the 1994/95 season.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via Unibet online casino, Cole said: “I just tried to do the best I could do for Manchester United, carry on what I was doing at Newcastle at Manchester United.
“That was my main focus, was going in there, getting my head down and doing the best of my ability at Manchester United. I tried my best not to get involved in all the nonsense and all the shenanigans because everyone's an expert.
“Everyone can tell you what you can and can't do, but I just tried to get my head down.”
Record move and instant impact
Cole was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from title rivals Newcastle for a British record fee of £7million, after scoring 68 goals in 84 games for the Magpies. He left in January 1995 following a brilliant start to the season which saw Newcastle win nine of their first 11 games before suffering their first defeat at Old Trafford in late October.
By the time United completed the swoop, worth £6m plus £1m-rated Keith Gillespie, Newcastle had won just two of 10 games following that defeat, slipping behind Ferguson's side in the title race. Cole had scored nine in 18 league games that season after smashing 34 in 40 the season before.
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan green-lit the transfer but chose to confront concerned fans on the steps of St James' Park about Cole's exit.
Glory at Old Trafford
Cole went on to become one of the best signings of Ferguson's career. In just six years at United, he won five league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League in 1999 in the historic Treble season. The 15-time England international remains the fifth-highest goalscorer in Premier League history, netting 93 of his 187 goals with the Red Devils.
Newcastle would finish the 1994/95 season in sixth, while United lost the title to Blackburn Rovers on the final day, despite Cole scoring 12 times in just 18 games, including a record five goals in a record 9-0 win over Ipswich Town.
The following season, Cole struggled to find his trademark form but notched 13 strikes en route to a Premier League and FA Cup double, a remarkable turnaround as his new club had been 10 points behind his old club at Christmas. Newcastle missed out on the title to United by just four points, the closest they would come to winning the league, after losing both games against Ferguson's side, including a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford in which Cole opened the scoring.
No grudges held
Reflecting on his Newcastle exit, Cole said: “Well, I'm always of the ilk of thinking if a manager makes a decision on you, wants to move you on, the manager's made his decision. You know, that decision was made at that time.
“Newcastle got good money for me. I had an opportunity to play for a club that I always wanted to play for and, as they say, the rest is history. And that's football.
“I've never once held a big grudge against Kevin Keegan. Obviously, he's no longer with us. I've never held a big grudge against Newcastle because a decision had been made, and we live and die by our decisions.”
