Manchester United duo will get better: Cole

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has tipped the twin-striking force of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Wayne Rooney to get better in the 2011/12 English Premier League season.

The former Manchester United player said this as he launched a youth football development programme that will see mobile phone operator Airtel Kenya sponsor this year’s Kenya Secondary School Term Two “B” Games to the tune of Sh10.5 million.

The player, part of the 1999 Manchester United’s Dream Team, initiated the football talent search programme on Tuesday at Upper Hill Secondary School, which will focus on identifying and nurturing talent in Kenya from the grassroots onto the national stage.

“It is a great honour for me to be here in Kenya. It’s a fantastic feeling to see how young players want to break to stardom,” said Cole.

According to the former United player, he sees plenty of himself in current Old Trafford prodigy “Chicharito,” and praised the young Mexican as the signing of the season

“Chicharito is a very talented player, especially having come from South America. He’s young and full of talent.

“Well, as for Rooney, he’s phenomenon,” said the United star. “This partnership will only get better and that’s good news for United.”

The culmination of the talent search programme in October will see two players travel to Tanzania for a clinic by Manchester United coaches, giving the talented Kenyan footballers a chance to be spotted by one of the world’s most popular clubs.

“Football is the universal passion and there is no bigger club in the world than Manchester United,” said Airtel Kenya managing director, Rene Meza.

“I’m tremendously excited by the opportunities for young Africans to interact with the brand, win exclusive match tickets and have the chance to train with coaches from one of the leading academies in world football.”

In the agreement, Manchester United will support the Airtel All Stars’ search for young African football talent while Airtel Kenya subscribers win tickets to watch the Red Devils play in Manchester, take part in coaching sessions and access exclusive club news.