Andy Cole says Manchester United are "still a few years away" from competing for the Premier League title, but believes they can close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool by maintaining a patient approach.
"I genuinely believe we're still a few years away," Cole told Sky Sports.
"We've just got to keep improving, keep bringing in better players and just try and improve season by season, because the two teams at the top - Liverpool and Manchester City - they're pulling away from everyone.
"I was in a team at Manchester United where we were doing exactly the same thing and in the end, everyone else closed the gap.
"It's a case of just keep persevering, keep improving season by season and closing the gap."
Cole also spoke about the relationship between his former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and past team-mate Roy Keane.
The former Republic of Ireland midfielder recently reignited a feud with Ferguson after questioning whether the Scot's actions were in the best interests of the club.
"It's disappointing but I'm just hoping that both of them can address the situation and work it out because I've got a lot of time for the pair of them," Cole added.
"I spoke to Roy the other day and I've always had a great relationship with Sir Alex, so fingers crossed they will be able to sort it out."
United return to league action after the international break when they host Brendan Rodgers' unbeaten Leicester at Old Trafford on September 14.
Cole was speaking at BGC Partners' 15th Annual Charity Day to commemorate the colleagues lost in the World Trade Centre attacks on September 11, 2001.
EAsoft
0
yeah Right
Makuru07
1
Of cause with the likes of Lingard we still have a long way
Dahariel2000
0
No, this is what we need. Man utd needs to break the bank next summer. It's time our lovely bounce back to the days not long ago wen we always sing "glory glory and united......" and we can only do dat by adding quality players to the few we have now. To do this united needs to spend close to £270m to achieve this goal and we have the money so the board shd do just so. And these are the players to me if they join the squad, will make us champion's again. 1. Paco alcacer - he is 26years now and have a current market value of 37m so united shd try and sign him even if he cost us 50m cos we can't rely on rashford and martial cos they aren't natural number 9. He addition will surely boost our striking department cos he is a goal poacher 2. Jadon Sancho - he is 19years old, have current market value of 100m so utd shd be prepared to sign at close to 140m. With him being on the ryt flanks and Daniel James of the left, the team will be a force to reckon on and our opponents will will always have an issue at hand 3. Christian erikson - is a he is 27 years and his current contract ends on 30th June 2020. So united shd start negotiation with him ryt now and sign him for free b4 the likes of real madrid and juventus try to sign him. With him partnering pogba, our midfield will be one of the best in the EPL and Europe in general 4. Sergej milinkovic savic - this 24 year old has been on our radar for way too long and has a current market value of 65m. So we can get him for as huge as 80m of which I believe is justifiable. He can play all positions in the midfield being defensive or attacking. So with him playing defensively and pogba and eriksen in the de attacking midfield, our midfield will be heated. We will have PES(pogba, eriksen, savic), wow.... 5. Bruno Fernandez - less I say about this guy, the better but united shd sign him, market value only 55m,........ So In all spending over 250m is Wat is needed to bring the good old days back, I hope the board stop being reluctant and get these guys at all cost. Madrid spent more than 300m this summer yet plans to spend more next summer cos they feel they aren't where they want to be so utd shd man up and do similar. Moreover an advice to united board,stop signing players that are so close to joining man city cos they always flop at united cos city style of play and our own are different and a classical example is Sanchez and Fred. Also sell the club to the prince of UAE whom I heard is interested in the club United will rise again #GGMU #UNITED FOR EVER #UNITED TILL I DIE, WIN, LOSE OR DRAW #BORN RED, LIVE RED, DIE RED
to get any of those players we have to have champions league football my guy
scoffie
1
BUT NOT THAT FAR
fizzbizzie
2
get the midfield right and united is ready to compete but Bruno fernandes isn't the answer .. he couldn't even control the midfield against Lithuania... United needs game controllers like Carrick, scholes, David Silva, Fernandinho.. pogba definitely isn't that type
Vezonic22
0
They need at least a decade
Like Arsenal right? 🤭
Vezonic22
1
Patient approach? Not for the highly impatient & fastidious ManUtd fans.
Hapdikopry
0
They need at least a decade
Man its manager has no experience to manage any big team before. He managed in Norway and championships for Cardiff city. Premier league is not easy and arsenal has experienced manager in France and Spain .
jezabdnpyz
2
Disagreed With Goal King Cole. Of Course Patience Is The Key But If We Can Get The Right Players In For That Particular Position We Need To Enforce.., Bend Them In With Our Current Players And Academy Youngsters.., We Might Achieve It Sooner Than Later.
DaMhztourage
0
They need at least a decade
Then arsenal will need a century
Snashyboy
0
They need at least a decade
Like arsenal man or
Rammy-Asante
6
No, this is what we need. Man utd needs to break the bank next summer. It's time our lovely bounce back to the days not long ago wen we always sing "glory glory and united......" and we can only do dat by adding quality players to the few we have now. To do this united needs to spend close to £270m to achieve this goal and we have the money so the board shd do just so. And these are the players to me if they join the squad, will make us champion's again. 1. Paco alcacer - he is 26years now and have a current market value of 37m so united shd try and sign him even if he cost us 50m cos we can't rely on rashford and martial cos they aren't natural number 9. He addition will surely boost our striking department cos he is a goal poacher 2. Jadon Sancho - he is 19years old, have current market value of 100m so utd shd be prepared to sign at close to 140m. With him being on the ryt flanks and Daniel James of the left, the team will be a force to reckon on and our opponents will will always have an issue at hand 3. Christian erikson - is a he is 27 years and his current contract ends on 30th June 2020. So united shd start negotiation with him ryt now and sign him for free b4 the likes of real madrid and juventus try to sign him. With him partnering pogba, our midfield will be one of the best in the EPL and Europe in general 4. Sergej milinkovic savic - this 24 year old has been on our radar for way too long and has a current market value of 65m. So we can get him for as huge as 80m of which I believe is justifiable. He can play all positions in the midfield being defensive or attacking. So with him playing defensively and pogba and eriksen in the de attacking midfield, our midfield will be heated. We will have PES(pogba, eriksen, savic), wow.... 5. Bruno Fernandez - less I say about this guy, the better but united shd sign him, market value only 55m,........ So In all spending over 250m is Wat is needed to bring the good old days back, I hope the board stop being reluctant and get these guys at all cost. Madrid spent more than 300m this summer yet plans to spend more next summer cos they feel they aren't where they want to be so utd shd man up and do similar. Moreover an advice to united board,stop signing players that are so close to joining man city cos they always flop at united cos city style of play and our own are different and a classical example is Sanchez and Fred. Also sell the club to the prince of UAE whom I heard is interested in the club United will rise again #GGMU #UNITED FOR EVER #UNITED TILL I DIE, WIN, LOSE OR DRAW #BORN RED, LIVE RED, DIE RED
cooklmoptz
0
Andy Cole.. they r going downwards.
Hapdikopry
0
They need at least a decade