Andy Cole has admitted he regrets leaving Manchester United when he did, claiming he would have won more trophies had he stayed. However, the former striker also said he enjoyed his time playing for Manchester City, as the two clubs prepare for the weekend derby.
Cole spent almost seven seasons at Old Trafford, winning nine major honours including the Treble. He joined from Newcastle for a British record fee of £6m, with Keith Gillespie moving in the opposite direction. He left in 2002 to join Blackburn Rovers for £7m, before eventually ending up at Manchester City in 2005.
Speaking after his retirement, Cole recalled a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson: 'He told me that I didn't have to go, he didn't want me to go. I could have stayed for as long as I could and I would get my games. In the end, he just said, "Okay, I understand, and I know what you are like, I will let you go." The crazy thing is that he sold me for £7million, which is more than what he paid for me – he got me for £6m.'
Cole added: 'I really enjoyed my time, but I left far too early. That is my only regret. I could have stayed at the football club for a lot longer and, looking back, I wish I had. Just because you have won everything, that doesn't mean you don't want to win it again.'
Reflecting on his move to City, Cole said it was a 'great honour' to play for both Manchester clubs. He acknowledged that some fans might not see it that way, but he considered it an honour. 'A lot has been made about me coming here and you would think I am the only player ever to have made the switch. Denis Law did it, Brian Kidd did it, and a lot of people seem to forget that both Shaun Goater and Jon Macken played for United early in their careers,' he said.
