I became one of Premier League's all-time top scorers with Man United - England snub made me laugh

Former Manchester United striker Andy Cole has previously blamed politics in football for denying him an opportunity to go to the World Cup with England.

The forward enjoyed a superb season for United leading up to the 1998 tournament in France, scoring 20 goals, including 15 in the Premier League as Arsenal pipped Sir Alex Ferguson's side to the top-flight crown by a point.

During his international career, Cole made just 15 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring just one goal. His fortunes for his club pose a stark contrast to his exploits for England as he sits fourth in the Premier League's all-time record goalscorers.

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Cole was omitted from England's squad for the 1998 World Cup in France. Then England manager Glen Hoddle opted to take Michael Owen, Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand and Paul Merson in place of the United attacker, he previously said speaking to the Beautiful Game podcast: "I knew I should have gone.

"I'm not looking to swap myself anybody. That season I had done more for Manchester United, think I ended up getting 20-odd goals for Man United that season.

“If you look at everyone else’s goal return that year, I’m not sure how many got 25 goals. But that’s when the shenanigans started with Glenn Hoddle ... so when I got left out, I had to laugh to myself. I had to. I knew I should have been going to that World Cup.

"I knew, if it wasn't for the politics involved in the football, I’d have gone to the World Cup."