Former West Ham United striker Carlton Cole believes that Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard needs to leave the club.

The attacking midfielder excelled during the second half of last season at the Hammers on loan.

He managed nine goals and five assists in 15 matches, but has returned to United since then.

"Disappointment, really," Cole said when asked about United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's comments that Lingard could stay and fight for a starting spot this season..

"When I was younger, I wanted to stay at Chelsea for yonks and fight for my place.

"But if they see him as a peripheral player, wouldn't you want to go and be the main man somewhere else?

"That's the way I look at it; he's done brilliant last season and he has had some good seasons at Man United.

"I think he has outgrown that position, the way they look at him now, he is a bigger player than that. I think he can go somewhere and be the main man.

"But it's up to him and what his ambitions in life are. Talking about another scenario like Declan Rice, what are his ambitions, does he want to go to a Man United?

"But then you have the other way round as well, someone that has been a bit part player that wants to be the main man elsewhere. So it depends what perspective you look at football and what you want as a player.

"For me, I think he should just go and fill his boots at West Ham."