Andy Cole says he will be thankful to make it to 50 after opening up about his ongoing health battle.
Former Manchester United striker Cole, 48, has been self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic and revealed the huge mental and physical toll that has taken.
"I try not to look too far ahead and take it day by day," said Cole, who underwent a life-saving kidney transplant in 2017.
“I remember I recently had one of my sombre days with my daughter, who has been unbelievable.
“She said to me 'Dad, you're going to live forever'. I'll always remember that, because I kept saying to her 'look, if I make 50, I'll be happy'.
“I'm a year and a bit away from 50 and if I make it? Man, considering what I've been through, I'll be made up.
“My biggest fear is that one day I wake up and my kidneys pack up. I don't care about anything else, that's my biggest fear.
“I've said to myself 'if it packs up, how are you going to do it again, mentally? How are you going to go through it again?' That's my biggest fear.”
Cole revealed how his daily physical and psychological battles have been compounded by his need to shield during the Covid-19 crisis and subsequent lockdown.
“It's been really, really hard,” he said. “Last week was one of my toughest ones. The week before I had my daughter here, who's been shielding as well.
“That was the first time I'd been able to socialise with someone for nine weeks, so that week made things a whole lot better for me.
“But this week, after she left, has been really tough.”
Manchester United Foundation are offering the ultimate VIP matchday experience, including dinner for two with a club ambassador, as part of their 'United for a High Five' raffle.
The winner and a guest will enjoy a VIP Old Trafford experience next season, dining with a United ambassador and watching a home match from the exclusive Ambassadors’ Lounge. This prize also includes one night’s accommodation and dinner for two at a Manchester hotel.
To donate either online (worldwide) or via text (UK only), from 9am today until 9am tomorrow, the entry link is manutd.com/highfive
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