Andy Cole wants to see Karim Benzema at Manchester United – but believes a move to Old Trafford may be too big a step up for 'baby' Harry Kane.

The former Manchester United striker, who plundered 102 goals for the club, thinks Real Madrid's Benzema, 27, has the experience which will allow him to succeed on the big stage.

However, he says 21-year-old Kane, who hit 31 goals for Tottenham Hotspur last season, needs more games under his belt.

Andy Cole wants to see Karim Benzema leading the line at his former club Manchester United next season

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has also been linked with United but Cole is less keen on a bid for the youngster

Cole played for a United's Legends side against Bayern Munich on a return to Old Trafford on Sunday

Cole, 43, also called on manager Louis van Gaal to ditch his methodical philosophy and play a more entertaining brand of football.

United are set for a big summer in the transfer market and have been linked with a £30million swoop for Benzema, a Champions League winner who has 77 France caps.

And Cole, who also reckons the club should lodge a cheeky £60m offer for Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, thinks he would be the perfect fit.

'I like him,' Cole said of Benzema. 'He's a very good player and played at the highest level for years.

'He's done it at international level and (you) look at that and say that could definitely work, him and (Wayne) Rooney.'

Benzema chases down a ball in the Champions League semis - and Cole says his experience would be vital

Wayne Rooney could partner the Frenchman in attack as part of a new-look side at Old Trafford next season

Cole also feels United should submit a cheeky bid for Manchester City and Argentina striker Sergio Aguero

Cole, the second-highest goalscorer in Barclays Premier League history, called on Van Gaal, armed with a £150m kitty, to bring the world's elite to Old Trafford this summer.

'That's what the fans want,' he said. 'If Man United have got £100-200m to spend and there's talk of (Gareth) Bale, then that's what the fans want to see, that's the X-Factor, for people to say "wow". Man United has always been that kind of club, (you) always want big name players to come here and fans get buoyant about it.'

As revealed by Sportsmail, United are keen on Kane but Cole, who starred in Sunday's 4-2 Legends victory over Bayern Munich in a game that raised more than £800,000 for the Manchester United Foundation, thinks he should stay put.

Benzema has been linked with a £30m move to United as Rafa Benitez revamps Real Madrid this summer

Louis van Gaal is expected to spend big once again in the summer transfer window to strengthen his squad

'He's had a brilliant first season,' he said. 'But then can he come to Man United, and if it is true for £40m, and bring to Man United what Man United need?

'Whoever comes to Man United as a centre forward is going to be under a hell of a lot of pressure.

'They need to get somewhere and if I was being cheeky, I would say I'd give you £60m for Aguero because Aguero, fit, is the best centre forward in the Premier League.'

Cole, who won a Champions League medal with United and spent six glittering years at the club, believes Kane may suffer from second-season syndrome.

Cole feels that Kane had everything going for him this season and that trend may not continue for him

The 21-year-old won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for his breakthrough season with Tottenham

'I think the kid (Kane) is talented,' he said. 'We have to be honest. He's had half a season where everything went for him. Penalties at the keeper and rebounds are coming straight to his feet.

'He's scored some goals but to take that leap - because your second season in the Premier League is always tough - to leave Tottenham and come to Man United and for Man United to pin all their hopes on him, for the money and if it did happen, that's a hell of a lot of pressure.

'Man United need to compete in Europe and the championship as well. He's a baby, still learning his trade.'

Kane was labelled as a 'baby' by Cole and he feels the striker may not be able to handle the pressure at United

The former United striker is still the Premier League's second-highest all-time top scorer

United, who finished fourth last season, scored 62 goals – their second-lowest total in Premier League history.

And Cole, who believes the fear factor has left Old Trafford, wants that to change.

'The way they played this season, it's not a typical Man United,' he said.

The United Legends side, featuring Cole, helped to raise over £800,000 for the Manchester United Foundation

Cole would like to see United play attacking football like the teams led by former boss Sir Alex Ferguson

'It's not Sir Alex Ferguson and galvanising football where you had to attack because he and the fans would let you know you're not attacking.

'The history of the football club is about style. It's about attacking teams. If you go 1-0 up then you keep attacking teams and win by five. That's what the manager wanted when I played. He wanted to punish teams when they came to Old Trafford.