'Bale & Benzema have Manchester United X-Factor'

Former striker Andrew Cole has welcomed the club's links with the Real Madrid duo and has urged Louis van Gaal to play a more attacking style

Andrew Cole has welcomed talk of Manchester United potentially signing Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, insisting that the Real Madrid duo would bring an "X-Factor" to the Premier League club.

Goal understands that Arsenal believe Benzema would be interested in a move to north London, should Madrid decide to sell, while United have also been reported as a potential destination for the Madrid striker.

Former Tottenham winger Bale, meanwhile, has been on United's radar and Cole has suggested that he would love to see the duo at Old Trafford next season.

He told Goal: "I like him [Benzema], he's a very good player and played at the highest level for a numerous amount of years.



"He's done it at international level and you look at that and say that could definitely work with him and Rooney.

"What do the fans want? That's what the fans want. If Man United have got £100-200 million to spend and there's talk of Bale, then that's what the fans want to see, that's the X-Factor, for people to say 'wow'.

"Manchester United has always been that kind of club, always wanting big name players to come here and fans to get buoyant about."

Cole also called on Louis van Gaal to give United supporters what they want and play an attacking brand of football next season after criticisms that the Red Devils were too concerned with playing possession football.

He added: "It's different to what the fans have been used to. When you watch Manchester United you expect them to play a certain way with a high-tempo and score loads of goals.