FanPost

Not an elite level striker?

In the summer of 2017, Romelu arrived at United 24 years of age with an impressive goal scoring record in the Premier League and yet to enter his prime. He would go on to score 10 goals in his first 9 games (beating Sir Bobby’s record) as United went neck for neck with City at the top. But by the time the derby came around in December they found themselves 8 points behind their neighbours. Here was the opportunity to close the gap. Without the suspended Pogba, Jose put out an attacking line-up featuring Rashford, Lingard (in the form of his life) and Martial along with Romelu.

United went down 2-1 and fell 11 points behind their neighbours; City set a record of 14 successive league wins (which would become 18). The winner came from a hashed clearance by Romelu and he missed a decent chance to equalise which summed up his recent form and confidence.

His form picked up before injury limited his minutes and he finished the season with an impressive 26 goals in 50 games, with the "winning goal" in five league games: West Ham (H, 4-0), Southampton (A, 1-0), Bournemouth (H, 1-0), Huddersfield (H, 2-0), Swansea (H, 2-0), and two FA Cup games in a run to the final: Huddersfield (A, 2-0) and Brighton (H, 2-0).

In January 1995, Andy Cole arrived at United at the age of 23. Like, Romelu, Cole was another young striker who came with a prolific, if somewhat shorter, goal-scoring record. He also came with a hefty price tag, setting a new British transfer record at the time. He was ineligible to play against his former club but made his debut at home against a Blackburn team competing for United’s crown. Cole didn’t really have much of a sniff at goal in that game and it was left to The King to head home a looping cross from Giggs to settle the tie with ten minutes remaining. Cole would score his first goal against Villa the next month and score FIVE against Ipswich (on my birthday) in March. On the final day of the season, he would miss a one-on-one at Upton Park which would’ve won us the title. Sh*t happens.

Upon joining United it was widely recognised that Cole would have to adjust his game which inevitably took some time. He would go on to have a successful career at United. He stepped up after The King suddenly retired in the summer of 1997. He put his personal differences with Sheringham aside and scored 25 goals in 45 games (his best season for United, but United finished that season without a trophy). At the start of the treble winning season, he was one of four strikers at the club including new signing Dwight Yorke. In the face of stiff competition, he would end up forming a formidable partnership with his new strike partner which took United to the treble.

Had Romelu stuck it out at United maybe he too could have had a successful United career like Cole. He has shown that he can adjust his game (Arsenal away in the Cup and against Brazil in the world cup) but it’s not clear that he had the stomach to fight for his place. Had he arrived for half the £75-90M fee maybe it would’ve been easier to give him, and for him to accept, a bench role.

As mentioned on this site, over the years United have been accustomed to seeing their strikers step into a leadership role. Cole was not one of these and neither was Romelu. One had a memorable career at Old Trafford, the other will be forgotten.

This FanPost represents the view of the member who posts it and does not necessarily reflect the views of <em>The Busby Babe</em> or <em>SB Nation. </em>