Marcus Rashford and Kelechi Iheanacho can lead their Manchester clubs to glory over the coming years, according to former Manchester United striker Andy Cole.
The pair have forced their way into the first team at their respective sides, with Rashford having scored six Premier League goals for United and Iheanacho netting eight for Manchester City, and could face off in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday.
And Cole believes both young forwards have enough quality to embark on excellent careers over the coming years.
“I’d like to see the pair of them spearheading Manchester United and Manchester City – in their respective ways – in years to come," said Andy Cole, speaking exclusively to888Sport. "The pair have massive futures.
"They’re both young players starting out in their careers. Though they are different types of players they have both forced their way into their teams by scoring goals.
"I’m sitting here as a Manchester United fan thinking what a fantastic future Rashford has and with Iheanacho he has taken his opportunity with both hands.
"Will Rashford become a Manchester United great? We’re all hoping that he can be. He’s had a great start to his career. He’s been brilliant and I’m hoping he has enough games this season to show everyone how good he is. He has all the qualities for the big time and, like myself, he nicks a goal.”
Speaking ahead of this weekend's derby affair, Cole insists the unpredictability of the Premier League makes it impossible to split the two sides and make a call on the league winners at this stage.
“If I knew who would do best in the next three years then I’d head straight to the bookmakers," Cole added. "The way they have both started the season it’s tempting to think that one of them will win it. But then when you look at how Chelsea have started as well.
"The Premier League is so topsy-turvy now and whoever puts a run together and plays as a team then anything is possible. Leicester showed that.”
The arrival of Jose Mourinho in the summer certainly makes United contenders, though, according to Cole, who has likened the Portuguese to club legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Mourinho and Guardiola are both very good managers and both achieved so much but Jose has the same great aura about him as Sir Alex," Cole added. "When you look at what he’s done in the game – going to Italy and Spain and doing it out there - and now he’s trying to emulate his phenomenal record in England.
“I’m hoping the good times are returning and you can certainly see a swagger. All the players are talking about what he (Mourinho) wants to win.
"The few games we’ve had so far you can see the fear factor returning and that’s what Manchester United is all about. These past few years teams have gone to Old Trafford believing they can win.
"When you played under Sir Alex Ferguson teams would just hope they wouldn’t get beat by five. Mourinho is bringing that back now and they’re starting to look like the old United.”
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