MANCHESTER UNITED LEGEND Andy Cole believes Robin van Persie is crucial to bringing the Premier League crown back to Old Trafford.
Van Persie has been in scintillating form since his switch from Arsenal over the close season, netting 11 times in 14 appearances.
Former Red Devils striker Cole feels the Netherlands international’s goals could be the deciding factor in this season’s title race.
Speaking during a visit to Singapore to promote Manchester United soccer schools, Cole told Goal.com: “I think the current team is very good.
“If you look at the position they’re in now after losing out on the Premier League last season by a goal, the manager’s decided to bring in a player like Robin van Persie to stop that happening again.
“The way he’s playing this season and with Wayne Rooney and (Danny) Welbeck and (Javier) Hernandez scoring goals the team is looking very good. We’re playing some good football, it didn’t look like that in the early part of the season but it’s looking good now.”
Van Persie has spoken positively about his burgeoning partnership with Wayne Rooney, with the duo compared in some quarters to the stellar pairing of Cole and Dwight Yorke in the famous treble-winning season of 1998-99. Cole described his ‘special’ partnership with Yorke with pride, saying: “That partnership still gets talked about now.
“I believe not just at Man United, but also at other clubs in the Premier League, they will love to have that kind of partnership that will score many goals, bring entertainment to the fans, gain opportunity to win things.
“For me to be involved in such a partnership, especially in such a great campaign in which we won the treble, it’s something very special indeed.”
The former England striker went on to praise United manager Alex Ferguson, stating that the Scot’s 26-year legacy at the club is unlikely to be matched again.
“He’s a tremendous manager,” Cole said. “For anyone to manage at that level for 26 years is no mean feat and I don’t think it will be done again. To still be as driven as he is and what he brings to the club means when he does leave he’ll be leaving the club in great shape and it was a great honour to play for him.”
