Cole: Falcao Can Enhance No.9's Reverence

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole says wearing the Reds' no.9 shirt must be a special feeling for Radamel Falcao.

On Saturday, the on-loan Colombian striker scored his fourth goal since first pulling on the famous jersey that Cole wore during his glory days at Old Trafford. And while some people might feel that shirt numbers have lost some relevance in today's game of large squads, the former United striker believes the digit that now adorns Falcao's back still carries a certain significance.

"To wear the no.9 for Manchester United was phenomenal for me," Cole told ManUtd.com. "I enjoyed wearing it and you have got to treasure having it, especially at a very special club like this.

"Shirt numbers now go up to 70-odd in the modern game. But traditionalists always look up to the no.9 and no.10 as these are the boys up front who are expected to get the goals.

"To wear the no.9 for any club means a hell of a lot. I also wore the no.9 at Newcastle and it's very, very famous up there. The Newcastle fans talk very highly of their no.9s, so you know there's added pressure when you're given that shirt at St James' Park.

"I wore no.17 when I first signed for Man United here but then, for the season after that, the manager decided to give me the no.9. I always wore no.9 from that day on."

Cole accepts that increased attention from rival defenders comes with the territory when a player pulls on the no.9 shirt - like a red rag to a bull - but he believes Falcao has more than enough mettle to cope with that.

"When you're playing, the opposition team always look for the no.9 and try to make sure he doesn't score," warns Cole. "But I think Falcao will do very well as he's a super striker and he will definitely get goals."