Andy Cole says Angel di Maria’s outstanding start at Manchester United is reminiscent of Dwight Yorke.

The £59.7m Argentine international has scored three goals in his first five games in English football.

His stunning form has quickly eased the pressure on him following his British record move from Real Madrid.

And Cole believes the impact he has made at Old Trafford is comparable to Yorke, who joined United from Aston Villa for £13.6m in 1998 - winning the Treble in his first season at the club.

“I’ll be honest, the only person I’ve seen come to Manchester United and make such a good start was Dwight Yorke,” he said. “I think he scored two goals on his home debut and another goal in the game after that.

“He has played so well and given a little bit of spark.

“It’s what you always want when you come for that kind of money.

“Everyone is expecting something special and he’s done just that.”

It will be impossible for Di Maria to emulate Yorke’s feat of winning three trophies in his debut season at Old Trafford.

With United having failed to qualify for the Champions League and crashing out of the Capital One Cup against MK Dons, Louis van Gaal’s side only have the Premier League and FA Cup to play for.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Di Maria was allowed to leave the Bernabeu because his wages were too high for the European champions.

But Cole insists the 26-year-old’s form has already proved he belongs alongside the world’s most expensive players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

“He doesn’t (seem overly-expensive) at all,” said Cole. “The crazy thing with all those guys who have signed for that kind of money is they just take it.

“It is like water off a duck’s back. They get on with what they have to get on with and are all doing really well.

“Di Maria has certainly been fantastic so far.

“I think when you come to a football club like Manchester United, there is always going to be pressure, but he has played for another massive club in Real Madrid.

”So he is used to having the cameras always on him - you might say having the microscope on him but, the way he has started at United, he won’t have a problem as he is clearly a quality player.”