Despite boasting a positive goal record from his time with Manchester United, it never seemed easy for Andy Cole to force his way into an England squad.

Glenn Hoddle, when in charge of the Three Lions, defended Cole's exclusion from the 1998 World Cup by accusing the striker of needing six or seven chances just to score one goal.

It appeared that Hoddle's replacement - Kevin Keegan - also held similar reservations about Cole, having not been able to find room for the United frontman in his squad for the Euro 2000 qualifiers against Luxembourg and Poland.

However, Cole would provide the perfect riposte to his omission when Newcastle United, whom he left in January 1995 to join United, arrived at Old Trafford 15 years ago today.

With just 15 minutes on the clock, Cole exchanged passes with Paul Scholes, before going on to beat reserve goalkeeper Tommy Wright from the edge of the area.

The visiting Magpies, who were without a manager following the sacking of Ruud Gullit after a dispute with a number of key players, refused to crumble initially, though, and before the break they were level. Kieron Dyer's cross was intended for Duncan Ferguson, but before the Scot could make contact, it was turned into his own net by United defender Henning Berg.

Yet, within 60 seconds of the restart, Newcastle's chances of collecting a positive result all but ended. Cole claimed his second goal of the afternoon, having again been set up by Scholes and while the United players celebrated, visiting defender Nikos Dabizas, who believed that he had been fouled by Cole, was sent off for dissent.

Cole then completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute as he nipped in on the blindside of Aaron Hughes to collect Ryan Giggs's low cross. His first touch took him away from the defender, while his second saw him curl an effort beyond the reach of Wright.

Then, six minutes later, Cole made it 4-0 to the home side when he turned and fired Gary Neville's pass into the net from 12 yards out.

He would then turn provider in the closing stages as United added a fifth and final goal. It was his through-ball that picked out Giggs and the Welsh winger was able to squeeze a volley with his weaker right foot inside Wright's near post.

MAN UNITED: Van Der Gouw; G Neville (Clegg), Stam, Berg, P Neville; Beckham (Sheringham), Butt, Scholes (Fortune), Giggs; Cole, Yorke

NEWCASTLE: Wright; Barton, Goma, Dabizas, Hughes; Dyer, Lee (McClen), Speed, Solano (Beharall); Shearer, Ferguson (Robinson)