Andy Cole predicts how long it will take Manchester United to return to glories of the past

Andy Cole thinks Manchester United still need to add two or three players to turn into an winning force.

The former United striker believes United are still two years from returning to the top of English football. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ex-teammate says his old club must rediscover their consistent streak.

Cole doesn’t think United will compete for the title again before 2023 and he wants Solskjaer backed to add to his squad between that time.

Asked how long it will take to see United back at the top, Cole told The Mirror: “Two years. You watched the game on Sunday, Manchester City and Liverpool, that’s the level Manchester United have to get to and that’s not going to happen by next season.

“Everything is a process. It’s about consistency. In football it’s consistency and confidence and if you marry those things then football won’t change.

“You have to be consistent in that as well. The gaffer [Sir Alex Ferguson] always used to say that if you had eight or nine playing well of course you can carry the team. If you’re all playing well then who is going to beat you? You need that belief.

“We used to beat teams in the tunnel. They’d want to keep us quiet for 20 minutes but we’d want to score two in the first 20 minutes — and, from there, everything is possible.

“It’ll take two years because you have to add players, improve, add two or three players and really improve the team. That’s where you find the consistency.

“Ole is a Man United legend and of course he knows what it takes. I hope he gets as much time as is needed. When United get it right, they get it right and they dominate because they got it right.”

Consistency is the biggest problem with this United side. The lack of consistency kills us in the league but, at the same time, I share the view that the players are good enough to win football matches.

If you read through Twitter on any match day you’ll see the criticism aimed at United players and I find myself wondering whether these people would be happy with any XI Solskjaer names?

Some people look for faults in everything — and sometimes before a ball is kicked.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all failed to guide United back to the top of English football. Solskjaer is feeling the pressure now but must remain focused and believe he can turn things around.

Another question is do the players believe in the manager? The answer of that will come after the November international break.

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