Premier League: Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers - Peter White's big match preview

ANDY Cole was once a tortured soul. That is if you believe the critics and there were plenty of them following his move from Newcastle to Manchester United.

But, as Blackburn Rovers have already seen to their cost, these days it is a much more mature Cole who tends to do the torturing and the red-hot striker will be eager to put their reduced ranks on the rack at Old Trafford tomorrow.

Just three days after stopping Cole's last club Newcastle in their tracks at St James' Park, Roy Hodgson's team face a far greater challenge in attempting to halt the red juggernaut.

And the reborn England striker is in the vanguard of United's drive to regain the Premiership title.

Cole, it is believed, was deeply wounded by the criticism he received during his early Old Trafford years.

But overall experience -- and certainly the experience of playing for all-conquering United -- has seen him conquer any inhibitions he might have harboured.

The only devils he sees now, you might say, are red ones and they are all on his side.

"I'm not bothered what other people say about me any more," he explained.

"I've just turned 27 and I haven't got time to worry about what other people think these days.

"My record speaks for itself and, when I have finished, it will all be down there in black and white for people to see."

Cole's acclimatisation had already taken place before the arrival at Old Trafford of Dwight Yorke, remember that Ewood game where he destroyed Rovers almost single-handed?

But there are many who feel their partnership could have been made in heaven --- or hell if you are the opposing team.

Yorke is a player who ghosts around almost unnoticed at times but getting through more work than many realise. He also has a gift of rarely conceding possession.

Cole, in contrast, easily finds the spotlight, with his lightning acceleration and spectacular strikes on goal.

Both have already proved they can score goals together and Cole himself likens the partnership to the one he enjoyed with Peter Beardsley at Newcastle. "It is brilliant and one of the best I have ever had," he said.

"We are opposites as players and I think that helps us. We don't get in each other's way and, instead, we complement each other.

"We also get on well together off the pitch which I feel is another thing which helps us when we play together.

"It's a bit like the time I had at Newcastle with Peter Beardsley. That's the best comparison I can make. I enjoyed it with Peter and I'm now enjoying playing with Dwight."

The onfield harmony between them has not gone un-noticed elsewhere.

When they helped to destroy Brondby in the two recent Champions' League games, the Copenhagen side's skipper, former Arsenal midfielder John Jensen, claimed they could put United on top of Europe, never mind the Premiership.

"I think with their goals Manchester United have a chance of winning the Champions' League," said Jensen.

"These two up front are simply frightening for other teams. They are quite a formidable partnership."

Rovers, however, cannot afford to be running scared at Old Trafford tomorrow even though Cole's one-time misses have turned into hits and Yorke makes it a double-barrelled threat.

Like Newcastle in last Sunday's goalless draw, they must grasp the nettle.

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