Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has insisted that Casemiro and Marcus Rashford would "definitely" not have made it into the club's famous 1999 treble-winning team.
Cole was an integral part of the team which won the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League in one season under the stewardship of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. And while the 51-year-old is pleased that United are back on the right track under new boss Erik ten Hag, he has disputed claims that some of the current playing squad would have been good enough to star during that golden period.
Several of United's current stars, including Casemiro and Rashford, who is the club's leading goalscorer, have earned plenty of plaudits for driving this year's revival.
But Cole's former striker partner, Dwight Yorke, has already claimed Rashford would not have made it into the treble-winning side's starting line-up - even though the United academy graduate has plundered 24 goals in 36 games this term. Cole, it seems, is of the same opinion.
"I agree with Dwight Yorke: Marcus Rashford on current form would not make it into the treble starting XI and maybe the bench," Cole told Best Sports Betting Canada.
"In front of Ryan Giggs or David Beckham? Even in this sparkling form, unfortunately not. If you took out Giggs or Beckham, then Rashford would probably get into the team, but our team had so much quality. Rashford would definitely not make it into the treble team."
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Cole also believes that Casemiro wouldn't make the cut - despite the fact he's had a transformative effect on Manchester United since his blockbuster move from Spain.
The multi-time Champions League winner is widely acknowledged as one of Europe's finest defensive midfielders. But, as Cole points out, United also boasted two of the finest midfielders around when they won the treble back in 1999.
Roy Keane was United's captain during that golden era and one of the most influential players around, while Paul Scholes was held in high esteem by some of Europe's biggest names. Cole believes both of them would get the nod ahead of Casemiro - but did tip the Brazilian for a spot on the bench.
Cole, who notched 121 goals in 275 games for United, added: "Casemiro would not make it in front of Roy Keane, Paul Scholes or Nicky Butt. Casemiro is a fantastic player, but would I play him in front of Keane or Scholes? No. He would make the bench. He’s made a massive improvement to Manchester United since he’s joined and I really like the player."
