I was happy at Man City but regret Man United exit after club paid huge transfer fee for me

This former England striker played for both Manchester United and Manchester City

Andy Cole admitted that he regrets his premature departure from Manchester United as it cost him the chance to win more trophies, despite enjoying his stint at Manchester City.

The rivals are set to clash in the Manchester derby on Saturday, and Cole, having experienced both dressing rooms, is well aware of the pre-match atmosphere. Cole spent almost seven years at Old Trafford and won nine major honours during his tenure, including the Treble.

He was signed by United from Newcastle for a then-British transfer record fee of £6million, with £1m-rated Keith Gillespie moving in the opposite direction. However, he left in 2002 for a larger fee to join Blackburn Rovers and eventually found himself at Manchester City in 2005.

Reflecting post-retirement, Cole believes he left the Red Devils too soon. He said: "[Sir Alex] 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.

"So I remember that last meeting with him like it was yesterday. 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."

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Cole added: "Just because you have won everything, that doesn't mean you don't want to win it again.

"If I was what I am now – more relaxed and calculated in what I want to do – I would have thought about it and realised I would have played games and still be involved in 20 to 25 games a season and win a hell of a lot more, but it wasn't to be."

Cole made the switch across the city following a spell at Fulham, describing it as a "great honour" to represent both Manchester sides. Speaking to the Independent ahead of a derby clash in 2005, he said: "The fact I had played for United and had such a good time there was on my mind when I considered City's offer, I cannot lie.

"When you've been at a club for so long and you have achieved so much with that club, I mean I achieved things at United that I never believed I would, then you close it and move on and end up at their rivals then of course it crosses your mind.

"But I am a professional footballer, simple as that. I had a great time at United, but that came to an end, and now this is a new chapter.

"Personally, I consider it an honour to have played for both clubs in my career. Some Manchester United fans might not see it that way and some Manchester City fans might not see it that way but it really is an honour for me to have played for two great clubs."

Pointing to other players who've made the controversial switch between fierce rivals, Cole added: "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, but because I had so much success with United and was there for the most successful period in the club's history people seem a lot more apprehensive about my move."