On This Day – 10th January
On this day in 1995, Alex Ferguson pulled off a massive coup by signing Andy Cole from fellow Premiership club Newcastle United.
In a transfer that shook the footballing world, Cole joined the Old Trafford club for £6 million. Keith Gillespie moved from Manchester to Newcastle as part of the deal.
Newcastle United fans were quite clearly incensed by the move, their star striker leaving for a club fighting with them for the Championship.
Cole had scored a hugely impressive 68 goals in 84 matches, a strike rate only bettered by club legend Hughie Gallacher.
Manchester United didn’t retain the League and Cup Double that they had won the previous season. They finished runners up to Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership in the 1994/95 season and also lost the FA Cup Final to Everton.
Newcastle ended the season in sixth position.