KNOCK IT ON THE HEAD

Cole warns rising star Greenwood

The warning comes from United legend Andrew Cole, who came through his own difficulties at the start of his career to become a Premier League legend.

Greenwood is going through a difficult spell after being axed from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad to face Everton.

That followed United warning the teenager about his attitude just weeks after he was sent home from Iceland, along with England team- mate Phil Foden, for breaking coronavirus protocols with girls in the team hotel.

Cole believes that Greenwood has “freakish” ability but must be judged on his game rather than his mistakes.

United’s Treble- winning hero Cole said: “If he gets his head right then he’s definitely a star in the making.

“I’m hoping he will come through this. What’s really upset me through this situation is I’m not sure why everyone keeps hounding him.

“He’s a baby. If you don’t make mistakes when you’re a baby, when do you make your mistakes? In your 50s?

“He’s a boy and he’s made mistakes, he’s held his hands

TOUGH TIMES: Greenwood and ( above) Andy Cole in his United heyday up. Let him go out there and play.

“Judge him on his football. They’ve left Foden alone, but continue to hammer Greenwood. It’s just not right.”

Cole came through his own trials and tribulations as a young player and knows that as soon as you reach the international stage then you are judged differently.

“Prime example:

Sterling,” said Cole. “England got knocked out in the Euros and everyone blamed Raheem Sterling. It’s about perceptions.

“When it came to my career, it was the same. You know nothing about me but you want to judge me. It’s the same now.”

Cole’s autobiography Fast Forward takes him from Arsenal trainee, to working his way up with loan spells at Bristol City and Fulham before exploding at Newcastle and then at Old Trafford. Cole is third – behind Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney – in the list of all- time Premier League scorers and yet was written off by former Arsenal boss George Graham.

He revealed that ex- Gunners midfielder Paul Davis kept him going with pep talks.

“I was told that I wouldn’t make it, I can’t do this, can’t do that,” said Cole.

“I didn’t feel loved at Arsenal. I felt more loved by teammates than the coaches. Davo would always say to me: ‘ Do you understand how good you are?’

“People said I was arrogant. When I used to speak out then people would call me too arrogant. But if I didn’t believe in me, who else would?”

Fast Forward: The Autobiography: The Hard Road to Football Success by Andrew Cole is published on 12 November ( Hodder & Stoughton, £ 20)