Cole could quit Old Trafford

Andy Cole fears he will be left on the bench this season

Andy Cole is prepared to leave Manchester United if he can not hold down a first-team place.

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he plans to start the season with Paul Scholes partnering new signing Ruud van Nistelrooy in attack.

With Dwight Yorke and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also vying for a place up front and a World Cup to aim for at the end of the season, Cole admits he may have to move on.

"It would be tough leaving United," he told the Sun newspaper.

"But if I have to move to another top club to get first-team football then that is what I might have to do.

"At my age I cannot afford to be sitting on the bench with a World Cup coming round.

Ferguson plans to start with Van Nistelrooy

"This will be my last chance to be involved in a World Cup and I will not get picked if I'm not playing regularly for United.

"If it is clear in the first few months that I will be spending a lot of time on the bench then I will have to go and see the manager to see where my future lies."

Ferguson has promised there will be games for everyone as United prepare to challenge in four competitions, but Cole is not ready to be a second-choice striker.

"It's fine saying there will be plenty of games for everyone but what will I be playing in - the Worthington Cup or something?

"I want to be playing in the real big games against the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

"I'm ambitious and I do not want to be on the bench for the big ones because, after all, they are what you come into the game for."