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      Mason Mount refuses to apologise for not being Jack Grealish but Gareth Southgate’s solid England star has no reason to

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      MASON MOUNT refuses to apologise to the nation for not being Jack Grealish.
      And frankly, why should he?

      Mason Mount refuses to compare himself with ‘unbelievable’ Jack GrealishCredit: Rex Features

      Instead he heaped praise on his ‘world-class’ England team-mateCredit: Rex Features

      The Chelsea midfielder has been beating off fierce competition to hold down regular starting places for club and country.
      But while the clamour grows for Aston Villa skipper Grealish to start for England, Mount has become the scapegoat – a target for social-media criticism and abuse.
      Where Grealish is an eye-catching entertainer, Mount is a solid citizen and an excellent team man.
      Yet Mount is adamant that he does not consider ‘world class’ Grealish as a rival and insists the two men can start in the same team, as England prepare to face the Republic of Ireland tomorrow, before Nations League clashes with Belgium and Iceland.

      The Chelsea player is more than capable of operating in a deeper midfield role, with Grealish tending to play wide.
      And Mount, 21, said: “I’d never look at it as a rivalry. We are two different players, we can play in different positions and we do different things.
      “We are two team-mates who play for the same country. We want to do the best for each other, the team and the country.
      “I look at the way he’s been playing this season, he’s been unbelievable.

      How England could line-up based on current form

      “Everyone’s always going to have an opinion but we have a massive focus on our own games.
      “We all know what Jack can do, he’s a world-class player that can create and score goals and that’s what we need in any England team.”
      Mount claims he has never been a regular social-media user and considers himself immune to the trolls.
      And he has refuted suggestions that he is a ‘teacher’s pet’ to either Gareth Southgate or his Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.
      Mount said: “No not at all. I’m a player that wants to do their best for the team and work hard. And maybe people take that the wrong way.
      “When you join England, you’re with world-class players and you want to show what you can do. That’s my focus and I’ve never felt like that (a teacher’s pet) really.
      “I really don’t look at social media much so it doesn’t bother me.
      “I think the most important people in your life are going to help you, so I listen to them. That’s what I’ve always done.
      “I’m very headstrong and I don’t really let too many things get to me.”

      No matter which players come in, I will always be up for the battle
      Mason Mount on competition for places

      Mount, who netted England’s winner against Belgium last month, says he is more than happy to play in a deeper ‘No 8’ role.
      He said: “When you’re in a higher position you can’t really show off your passing ability. I’ve definitely got longer passing in my locker and you can bring out more when you’re playing in that No 8 position.”
      Mount broke through at Chelsea last season, along with fellow homegrown youngsters Tammy Abraham and Reece James, after the club suffered a transfer ban.
      And that trio remain regular starters at Chelsea, as well as members of the England squad, despite Lampard’s summer spending spree which saw Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech arrive at Stamford Bridge to threaten Mount’s place.
      Mount said: “The whole of my life, being at Chelsea, you’ve got to compete against players coming in from all over Europe.
      “Chelsea is a club where even at a young age, they’re bringing in players they’ve spotted from different countries so you’re always competing throughout the ages.
      “It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting off in the Under-8s or you’re in the first-team and I think that’s the beauty of the club where the competition is so high and it brings the best out of the players.
      “I’ve gained that competitiveness and willingness to keep working and keep getting better. That’s been brought out of me from a young age.
      “So no matter which players come in, I will always be up for the battle.”

      Simon Jordan comments on Jude Bellingham’s England call-up More

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      FA need boss who doesn’t stumble into racism if Black Lives truly matter to them

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      IF black lives truly matter to English football, then we clearly need a chairman of the Football Association who isn’t a bumbling duffer capable of stumbling into casual racism.
      The game simply has to be governed by someone who doesn’t use offensive language and racial stereotyping.

      Greg Clarke had to go from the FA after his appearance before MPs on TuesdayCredit: PA:Press Association

      So Greg Clarke had to go after embarrassing himself in a car-crash appearance before a committee of MPs yesterday. It was an absolute no-brainer.
      He should have gone before now. In a previous session in front of the same Commons committee, Clarke referred to accusations of institutional racism as ‘fluff’.
      This was a man behind the times. By several decades.
      Clarke, 63, sounded like an ignorant pub bore rather than the head of an organisation supposedly desperate to improve diversity.

      Yesterday, he referred to ‘coloured’ footballers – an offensive term, with connotations stemming from racial segregation in the United States.
      Clarke would have been about 30 the last time you’d have been able to talk about ‘coloured’ people in polite conversation.
      When prompted to withdraw the remark by MP Kevin Brennan, Clarke responded: “If I said it, I deeply apologise.”
      Yet using the word ‘coloured’ to describe BAME people is either in your vocabulary or it isn’t. Clarke claimed he couldn’t even remember having used it.

      We can confirm that Greg Clarke has stepped down from his role as our chairman.Peter McCormick will step into the role as interim FA Chairman with immediate effect and the FA Board will begin the process of identifying and appointing a new chair in due course.
      — The FA (@FA) November 10, 2020

      It is the sort of language you might tell your old Nan off for using.
      It is not a word you’d expect an MP to have to tell the chairman of the FA to apologise for at a time when players are uniting to highlight the need for combatting racism.
      As Brennan said: “It is exactly the sort of language that means inclusion (in football) is not a reality.”
      It took the FA a few hours to realise Clarke had to go – first they issued an apology on his behalf, while the chairman himself attempted to ring round FA councillors for support, which was not forthcoming.
      Because it wasn’t as if using ‘coloured’ was a one-off. Clarke also meandered off into racial stereotyping, when he blurted: “If you go to the IT department of the FA there’s a lot more South Asians than there are Afro-Caribbeans. They have different career interests.”
      So if black people don’t seem to fancy a career fixing your laptop, maybe they don’t fancy careers in football management or as club directors either, eh Greg?
      Clarke, who was chairman of Leicester City when the club was plunged into administration in 2002, also claimed being gay was ‘a life choice’ and that ‘girls’ didn’t like balls being hit hard at them.

      Chairman Clarke has resigned from the FA

      Clarke was forced into two apologies following a series of diversity gaffes
      It seems pretty insulting to people in their 60s to suggest that Clarke is too old to know better than spouting this sort of guff.
      Most in his generation wouldn’t toss around such lazy language in the pub, never mind when facing MPs.
      With impressive, intelligent, campaigning young black footballers such as Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho playing for England, it was unthinkable that the FA could continue to be governed by a man capable of such crass statements.
      No one is suggesting Clarke is some hateful racist – he was condemning social media abuse of black players when he used his ‘coloured footballers’ remark. But that was never the issue.
      English football could never be taken seriously on issues of diversity if led by a man so lacking in awareness.
      It is not as if the head honchos of the FA have been a diverse bunch.
      When the Jewish 66-year-old David Triesman quit as FA chairman in 2010, the Jewish 66-year-old David Bernstein overcame the Jewish 66-year-old David Dein to succeed him.

      CLARKE’S OWN GOALS

      THE now former FA chief has a put his foot in it several times before:

      October 2017 – Comes under fierce criticism for referring to institutional racism as ‘fluff’ in front of the same parliamentary committee, forcing him into an apology.
      October 2017 – Slammed by a victim of the paedophile football coach Barry Bennell and was accused of comparing him to a ‘crying baby’ in Parliament.
      Clarke led the FA’s response to allegations of historical sexual abuse in football and was quizzed by MPs.
      Controversially in his testimony to MPs, Clarke attacked the PFA for ‘walking away’ from abuse victims, and spoke of an abuse survivor ‘crying like a baby’ after they were refused money for counselling. 
      October 2017 – PFA chief Gordon Taylor threatens legal action against Clarke over his suggestion they failed to support the victim with further counselling
      October 2020- Faced more pressure after his role in initiating secret talks over the Project Big Picture plans for the overhaul of the English game.
      November 2020 – Resigns as FA chairman following a meeting with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
      He stepped down after a fierce backlash after he referred to BAME footballers as ‘coloured people’ and suggested that ‘different career interests’ led South Asian people to choose careers in IT over sport.

      Although since then they’ve moved on from 66-year-old Jewish Davids to appointing middle-aged white blokes called Greg – first Dyke, then Clarke.
      Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace will be fancying his chances now.
      But maybe the next FA chairman might not even be a white man – because there are some modern grown-ups in the building at Wembley who understand the need to look beyond such a narrow section of society.
      Others in the organisation have done important work on tackling racism, including the ‘football leadership diversity code’ issued last month.
      While taking the knee against racism has been a powerful gesture, there were fears that it would not lead to meaningful improvements in football.
      Yet Clarke’s resignation suggests it might have genuine clout.
      Black people, over-represented on the pitch, continue to be massively under-represented in football management and boardrooms.
      That is because many of the people who run our game think, and speak, like Greg Clarke. And that is why he had to go.

      FA Chairman Greg Clarke apologises for ‘coloured’ comment More

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      Jamal Musiala is following in the England footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham and may be the best of the lot

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      JAMAL MUSIALA was not expected to be this good this fast.
      When Bayern Munich poached the then 16-year-old from Chelsea last summer, they saw a raw kid that could continue his development in Miroslav Klose’s Under-17s side.

      ⚠️ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Former Chelsea starlet Jamal Musiala is the latest English kid to burst onto the scene in GermanyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Fast forward 17 months and the winger is now both the German giants’ youngest player and scorer in their Bundesliga history.
      His record for the youngest player of 17 years and 115 days beat previous holder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg by a whopping 136 days.
      Musiala has also received his first England Under-21 call-up and could make his debut against Andorra on Friday at Molineux.

      Promoting Musiala up the ranks may be a smart move on Aidy Boothroyd’s part.
      The Three Lions know they have a battle on their hands to prevent the Stuttgart-born starlet from defecting back to Germany, for whom he represented at Under-16 level.
      Bayern boss Hansi Flick, who masterminded last season’s treble, has already recommended the youngster to close mate and Die Mannschaft coach Jogi Low.
      For now though Musiala is another example of an English starlet flourishing in Germany.

      And, following in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and former England Under-17 co-captain Jude Bellingham, he is perhaps the best one that you may never have heard of.

      Jadon Sancho has become a regular England starter during his time at Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Son to a German mother and Brit-Nigerian father, Musiala moved to the UK aged seven and was spotted by Chelsea scout Graham Castle playing in an Under-8 tournament in Southampton.
      Saints wanted to sign the eight-year-old but Castle, wowed by how “the ball stuck to his feet the whole time”, convinced him to pick the Blues.
      At 11, he attended prestigious, Croydon-based private school Whitgift for three years.
      Their famous sporting alumni include Callum Hudson-Odoi, whose brother Bradley is Musiala’s agent.
      Ex-Crystal Palace forward Andy Martin is Whitgift Director of Football and coached both and recalls how they made the game look “effortless” with their passing, dribbling and control.
      Musiala played as a striker back then, hitting a phenomenal 129 goals in 36 matches across Under-12, Under-13 and Under-14 level.
      Martin told SunSport: “I remember we played a team down in Plymouth in the quarter-finals of a national competition.
      “We travelled down on the day, a five-hour journey for a two o’clock kick-off. Jamal had scored a hat-trick within five minutes.
      “The game ended 10-0 and we called it off with 15 minutes to go so we could get back. That was the mark of the boy. He was absolutely ice cold.

      Jude Bellingham has received his first senior call-up after joining Dortmund in the summerCredit: PA:Press Association

      “There was rarely a game he didn’t score. I remember one game where he didn’t and he was so disappointed he had a few tears after the game.”
      Martin remembers “quiet, well-mannered, unassuming” Musiala being academically strong, excelling at art, English and, of course, languages – while shunning the flash side of being a footballer.
      Musiala, who turned down a three-year Chelsea deal to go to Munich, was called into a senior Bayern training session on May 22 without much fanfare.
      He did enough to earn his debut and be included in the Champions League party to head to Lisbon for the final knockout stages last term, where he impressed though he did not play.
      That has led to eight appearances so far this term, including two goals.
      His only start came in last month’s 3-0 cup win over FC Duren, in which he produced a stunning dribble and shot against the post which Flick lauded afterwards as “cheeky”.
      Bayern have learned to rein in their expectations of young players having seen the likes of Hojbjerg fail to match them. Less pressure could help Musiala.
      Musiala’s emergence at the reigning Champions League winners has justified his decision to turn his back on England’s top league.
      Boothroyd, Gareth Southgate and Co will be hoping that does not extend to the national team too for a player whose rapid progress shows no signs of slowing down.

      Watch ex-Chelsea wonderkid Jamal Musiala become second youngest goalscorer in Germany’s third tier with brace for Bayern Munich II vs FSV Zwickau More

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      Ryan Giggs’ girlfriend signs lease on a new flat after planning to leave Wales football boss before arrest

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      RYAN Giggs’ girlfriend has signed a lease on a new flat — and was planning to leave him before he was arrested
      Kate Greville fled the ex-footballer’s home last week after he was held for allegedly assaulting her.

      Ryan Giggs’ girlfriend has signed a lease on a new flat and planned to leave him before arrestCredit: Jim Clarke – The Sun

      A source claims Kate secretly signed to rent a new flat before the alleged assaultCredit: BackGrid

      But a source said their on-off relationship was toxic for a while.
      They explained: “She’s signed to rent a new flat in Manchester city centre.
      “She did it before the alleged assault and kept it a secret from him. This break-up was on the cards for at least a month.
      They’ve been rowing constantly. The bottom line is she just can’t trust him.”

      The latest row is thought to have been sparked by Giggs, 46, messaging other women.
      Giggs and Kate, 36, have split six or seven times in the past, said the source.

      Giggs and Kate have split six or seven times in the past, a source claimsCredit: Reuters

      Giggs’ affairs triggered his divorce from ex-wife Stacey

      A source says there’s ‘no way’ Kate will go back to Giggs

      Police visited his £1.7million home in Worsley, Greater Manchester

      But Kate always returned to his £1.7million home in Worsley, Gtr Manchester.
      The source said: “This time it’s different. She’s not going back to him, no way.”

      Giggs has temporarily stood down as Wales boss while the matter is being investigated.

      Rhodri Giggs says older brother Ryan Giggs is a sex addict and that he feels sorry for him
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Ryan Giggs’ girlfriend signs lease on a new flat after planning to leave Wales football boss before his arrest

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      RYAN Giggs’ girlfriend has signed a lease on a new flat — and was planning to leave him before he was arrested
      Kate Greville fled the ex-footballer’s home last week after he was held for allegedly assaulting her.

      Ryan Giggs’ girlfriend has signed a lease on a new flat and planned to leave him before arrestCredit: Jim Clarke – The Sun

      A source claims Kate secretly signed to rent a new flat before the alleged assaultCredit: BackGrid

      But a source said their on-off relationship was toxic for a while.
      They explained: “She’s signed to rent a new flat in Manchester city centre.
      “She did it before the alleged assault and kept it a secret from him. This break-up was on the cards for at least a month.
      They’ve been rowing constantly. The bottom line is she just can’t trust him.”

      The latest row is thought to have been sparked by Giggs, 46, messaging other women.
      Giggs and Kate, 36, have split six or seven times in the past, said the source.

      Giggs and Kate have split six or seven times in the past, a source claimsCredit: Reuters

      Giggs’ affairs triggered his divorce from ex-wife Stacey

      A source says there’s ‘no way’ Kate will go back to Giggs

      Police visited his £1.7million home in Worsley, Greater Manchester

      But Kate always returned to his £1.7million home in Worsley, Gtr Manchester.
      The source said: “This time it’s different. She’s not going back to him, no way.”

      Giggs has temporarily stood down as Wales boss while the matter is being investigated.

      Rhodri Giggs says older brother Ryan Giggs is a sex addict and that he feels sorry for him
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      England vs Iceland could be held in ALBANIA.. a 2,000-mile round-trip for Southgate’s Lions

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      ENGLAND could end up playing their Nations League clash with Iceland more than a thousand miles from Wembley . . . in Albania!
      And that would spark another huge club v country row.

      England boss Gareth Southgate might face big problems with Premier League clubs if the Nations League tie is switched to AlbaniaCredit: Reuters

      Wembley was due to host England’s clash with Iceland on November 18 but the venue is now in doubt due to new Covid-19 restrictionsCredit: Rex Features

      If they make the Balkans trip next Wednesday, Gareth Southgate’s stars face not returning home until the early hours of Thursday — two days before the Premier League restart.
      That would be a big blow to Frank Lampard whose Chelsea side travel to Newcastle for the first match following the international break — a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday, November 21.
      As revealed in the Sun on Sunday, Iceland’s visit to Wembley is in doubt because of the Government’s new Covid-19 travel ban on non-UK citizens arriving from Denmark due to a new coronavirus strain.
      Iceland are set to play Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday — the same day England travel to Belgium — before flying  to London.

      The FA are locked in urgent talks with Government officials to force a U-turn and allow the Icelandic team to play at Wembley in eight days’ time.
      UK citizens can return from Denmark but must isolate along with all members of their household for 14 days.
      But under the new rules, Iceland’s squad will be denied entry into England, meaning the FA are looking at a neutral venue if the Government refuses to back down.
      The Albanian FA have offered use of their national stadium in  Tirana — a 2,000-mile round trip for the Three Lions stars.

      Reece James and Mason Mount are among Chelsea aces who could return from England duty on the Thursday, two days before a lunchtime clash at NewcastleCredit: PA:Press Association
      And the three-hour return flight would mean England’s players missing training at their clubs on the Thursday.
      That would hit Chelsea hard as Reece James, Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount are due to play at Newcastle, so they would have little time to prepare.
      Cyprus, Greece, Hungary and Poland have previously offered to stage Uefa matches during the coronavirus crisis.
      The Cypriots have already committed to hosting a game, while the other three countries all suffered recent spikes in the virus.

      Southgate is continuing his preparations for Thursday’s friendly with the Republic of Ireland at Wembley.
      Not all of his players will link up with the squad today.
      Trent Alexander-Arnold faces four weeks out with a calf injury and there is also a doubt over Marcus Rashford, who has a shoulder problem.

      Gareth Southgate announces England squad for Ireland, Belgium and Iceland clashes More

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      Emi Martinez insists Aston Villa are a ‘step up’ from Arsenal after clean sheet against former club

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      EMILIANO MARTINEZ claims quitting Arsenal for Aston Villa was a step up — not  down.
      The Argentine keeper went to Villa for an initial £17million in September because he did not want to be second choice at the Gunners.

      ⚠️ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Villa keeper Emi Martinez hails two-goal hero Ollie Watkins after an impressive 3-0 victory at the keeper’s old club Arsenal on SundayCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      And his decision paid off on Sunday night as he helped Dean Smith’s men to a thumping 3-0 win over his old club at the Emirates.
      Martinez, 28, said: “Some people do not realise how big Aston Villa are.
      “They were all saying it was a step down in my career but I always said it was a step up.

      “When I decided to come to Villa it was because I trusted the manager and the club’s ambitions.
      “We are going to have a really good season hopefully,  and keep fighting in every game for every ball.
      “Hopefully we can  finish in the top ten.”
      Martinez spent nine years at Arsenal and helped them win the FA Cup last season.

      But he left when boss Mikel Arteta could not guarantee him a spot.
      He revealed: “I  texted him to say I was going to Aston Villa, so please let me go. He was very honest and  open with me.

      “He helped me to leave after so many years.”
      Villa are sixth after beating the Gunners.
      Martinez added: “It was a massive win. Arsenal was the best performance this season.”

      Arteta says Arsenal are inconsistent and something needs to be improved More

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      Man Utd stars told ‘siege mentality’ can strengthen bond and end struggles by Treble hero Andrew Cole

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      ANDREW COLE says it is time this Manchester United team hit back at those revelling in their demise.
      Time to ram the taunts back down their detractors’ throats and show they can be winners again.

      ⚠️ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Andy Cole has urged Man Utd players to develop a siege mentality and ignore criticismCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      When he was at the club, Treble-winner Cole knew everyone outside Old Trafford wanted them to fail.
      But that only made them stronger — and now Cole, 49, wants to see the same happen to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United.
      Cole said: “The club is about being under pressure and scrutiny consistently. Success breeds contempt and, when things are not going well, people want to jump on the bandwagon and talk about your lack of success.

      “You have got to use that and get that siege mentality. And when you walk out there, believe in each other and say to yourselves, ‘This is what we are going to do, it is about us and what we can achieve’.
      “The players have to get their heads down and become a unit.”
      One of the many criticisms aimed at the current crop is that there are no leaders.
      For Cole, instead of the players looking round for one, they need to take it upon themselves to be that person, every one of them.

      He said: “In my day we were all captains in our own right and you had to lead your own ship.

      “When we crossed that white line and looked at each other we knew we all wanted to win. In fact, we had some teams beat when we were in the tunnel.”
      The us-against-the-world mentality that Sir Alex Ferguson forged drove his team to 13 Premier League titles and that memorable Treble in 1999.
      Yet Cole never did quite get the animosity towards Manchester United.
      Or the glee that greeted their  failings, like on the final day in 1995 when Cole himself was denied time and again by West Ham goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko and the title went to Blackburn.
      Now delight grows with every season the club fails to get back to the very top.
      Harry Maguire summed it up after Saturday’s 3-1 win at Everton.
      He said: “People don’t want us to do well. Why? Probably because of the success we’ve had in the past.”

      Cole is a United legend after helping them to the famous Treble in 1999Credit: Popperfoto – Getty
      Cole remembers moving from a side much loved around the country in Newcastle to a completely different environment when he travelled away with Manchester United.
      Cole said: “At first I did not understand why  people disliked Manchester United so much. I still don’t.
      “Every team wants to win the big prizes. Why dislike the team that wants to do that season in, season out?
      “But I suppose success does that. If you are successful, people seem to dislike you.
      “Success seems to be frowned upon, questioned, scrutinised. Then people want to chip away at you if you make mistakes.”
      Ferguson described West Ham’s performance that day in 1995 as an “obscene” effort. Recognising that a team with nothing to play for were simply desperate to stop  United.
      It is something the club still have to live with even if they have not been relevant in terms of a title chase since 2013.

      Cole said: “Being at United at times is not easy. Even if the club have not won the league for seven years, every opponent still raises their game against you.
      “You have to match that. When I was at Manchester United the players understood what the club was about, that you always had to prove yourself.
      “This team has to find that consistency. They go to Paris Saint-Germain and get an unbelievable result and then come back to the league and not play well.
      “You are just not sure what team is going to turn up. Once they get that consistency it will breed confidence.”
      Cole hit 121 goals in 275 games for Manchester United, winning five titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.
      Only now in writing his autobiography has he had the chance to properly look back on all he achieved.
      He said: “I never enjoyed it as much as I should have done. The mentality when we won a trophy was, ‘Right, what can we win next?’.”
      A mentality that served him and Manchester United very well.

      Cole’s autobiography comes out on ThursdayCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun
       IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO VARD
      SIR ALEX FERGUSON would have subbed Andrew Cole after 20 minutes if he played like modern-day strikers.
      All that possession, dropping deep and build-up play? Fergie would not have put up with it. Just get in the box and score.
      Manchester United legend Cole, 49, said: “The game has evolved so much and people want to play a certain way.
      “I was watching a game with a mate the other day and I said to him ‘If I was playing like that, the boss would have hooked me after 20 minutes’.
      “Centre-forwards just don’t seem to make runs in behind any more and stretch the game. People are able to talk about ‘high lines’ because nobody wants to run in behind.
      “Even Harry Kane is dropping deep. It is all about weaving patterns and trying to get in that way.”
      There is one exception and at 33, he is currently the Premier League’s joint top scorer with eight goals, while his team are topping the table — Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.

      Cole said: “I just don’t know how he has kept his pace at his age.
      “They say you lose a yard as you get older but he seems to have gained one and that is his biggest strength. Centre-halves do not like someone who has that pace and Leicester play to his strengths.
      “He is scoring, running in behind and continuing to terrorise teams.”
      Cole also believes Vardy’s decision to quit England duty is benefitting him.
      While many of the Prem’s exhausted players drag themselves off for internationals, Vardy will be able to recharge his batteries over the next fortnight.
      It was a decision Cole made too, frustrated, like Vardy, at getting call-ups but not enough game time.
      He added: “He has done what he thinks is right for him and his family and is being proved right.”
      Fast Forward: The Autobiography: The Hard Road to Football Success by Andrew Cole is published this Thursday, November 12, and available to pre-order now (Hodder & Stoughton, £20).

      Harry Maguire says Man Utd are the biggest team in the world and that’s why everybody loves seeing them lose More