LEGEND Mark Hughes today backed Andy Cole to become a smash hit at Ewood following his big-money move from Old Trafford.

Veteran striker Hughes knows all about life after United after he made a similar career move during the early Nineties when he left Old Trafford for Chelsea.

But, though he admits quitting the Reds is likely to come as a big culture shock to Cole over the next few weeks, he insists his switch to Blackburn could turn out to be mutually beneficial to both parties as Rovers prepare to hit the Worthington Cup trail at Hillsborough tonight.

"It's a big decision for anyone to leave Manchester United, especially when you feel you can still be a big part of what they are doing," said Hughes.

"So I'm sure Andy sat down and thought long and very hard about his decision to come here.

"But, at the end of the day, he's a footballer and he doesn't need financial rewards or anything like that.

"That's not his motivation at this stage of his career, he just wants to play football and I can fully understand that.

"When I moved to Chelsea it was right for me and the right time for the club and I think Andy had also come to a similar point in his career.

"What ever club you're at, you just want to be one of the main players and it's difficult to take when you're no longer viewed as first choice.

"But things change in football, and there comes a point when you realise it's time to move on.

"So I'm sure his move here will turn out to be a great one for him."

Ironically, when Cole first joined United from Newcastle in a £7 million deal in January 1995, it was Hughes who he ultimately replaced in the Reds' forward line.

But the pair initially played up front together for four months during his debut season.

And Hughes saw enough then to convince him he was going to be a huge success at Old Trafford.

"I was fortunate to play with Andy for about four or five months at United before I was finally replaced by him," said Hughes.

"But he's a wonderful player, he's always scored goals at whatever level he has played at and he will bring something extra to Blackburn that we maybe haven't had before.

"He has an aura about him, he's got presence and his arrival here can only be good for the team.

Ominously for Wednesday fans, however, Hughes insists Cole is now a far better player than when he first joined United.

And, though he's under pressure to open his Ewood goals account quickly as Rovers look to take a step nearer Cardiff, he's adamant he is far more than just a goalscorer these days.

"Andy can only have benefited from the experiences he's had with United," said Hughes.

"He's won European Cups, FA Cups and League titles and when you're used to winning, you get used to a certain standard of preparation and level of performance which you take into games.

"Hopefully, that's what he'll bring to us.

"But, as well as that, he's also a great finisher and whenever I've seen him he's always been a threat because he's liable to take chances or make chances for others.

"So he's a top-class player who has played with the best players in the league for a number of years now.

"And his link-up play is first class, too. So he's a great all-round footballer."