ALEX FERGUSON turned Andy Cole into the most expensive sacrificial lamb in Manchester United's history and explained he believes he did not have any other choice.
The Old Trafford boss had stuck with his £7 million striker through thick and thin, naming the former Newcastle man in his side despite Cole's failure to get the goals his price tag should have guaranteed.
But yesterday, after Cole's last 10 games had brought just two goals, Ferguson bit the bullet by dropping him and drafting in the home grown talents of Paul Scholes.
Scholes responded to his first start in almost five months by grabbing the opener as United smashed woeful Nottingham Forest 5-0 to close in on their third title in four years.
And Ferguson explained: "I thought that if we were going to get a result and score then Scholes had to be given his opportunity, because we know he is a marvellous scorer. We knew he would be fresh and had the crowd behind him and that they wouldn't get anxious if he missed chances.
But if he was going to play it had to be up front from the start. Once we decided that, Andy had to be the one to step down. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one."
"It is not a great deal. Andy has contributed marvellously for us with his movement, pace and link play but he has not scored the goals he thinks he should have."
After Scholes claimed his 14th goal of the season from a perfect Ryan Giggs cross three minutes before the break, the United nerves were settled - a fact made concrete when David Beckham got the second on the stroke of half time.
Beckham then added a third before Giggs and, in injury time, Eric Cantona set the seal on an afternoon which left bookmaker Ladbrokes quoting United at 7 to 1 on favourites to win the Premiership. Newcastle, six points behind and with a goal difference inferior by seven, are now rated 4 to 1 shots.
Ferguson was clearly more than happy. "In most games we churned out results, but now we are seven goals better off and that makes it very difficult for Newcastle. It was certainly better than all those one nils, wasn't it?"
Meanwhile, Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson sends a patched up side out to face Newcastle today at Elland Road. But he promises: "Now we have a chance to repair our tarnished image. This is our first live TV game since the Coca Cola Cup defeat by Aston Villa at Wembley. That performance left a bad taste in our mouth. This one will be all about self esteem and character. I cannot pick the team I would like, but if all the players selected give it their best shot, Kevin Keegan will know his side have been in a game."
Senior players at Leeds were furious at Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson's recent remarks, accusing them of being under achievers. Leeds fans would prefer Newcastle to win the title, but Wilkinson said: "There is no such dilemma for me or the players today. We have no preferences. Quite simply the team that gathers the most points will win the Premiership, and deservedly so.
Tomas Brolin, Richard Jobson, Tony Dorigo and John Pemberton are all out injured for Leeds, while Carlton Palmer is serving a one match suspension. Striker Tony Yeboah could again be ruled out after missing six matches with a knee problem.
Keegan, meanwhile, could look to Keith Gillespie, as French star David Ginola is sidelined through suspension. Gillespie has been fighting a fitness battle on two fronts with an ankle injury and a bout of tonsilitis.
Assistant manager Terry McDermott said yesterday: "Come Monday we'll know exactly what we need to do and what is expected.
"It is not the ideal situation but at least it leaves it in our hands. Really we know we've got to win our three games anyway, irrespective of what else happens."
