Fraizer Campbell has asked Andrew Cole to be his mentor as he attempts to use the experience that he is gaining with Tottenham Hotspur and England Under-21 to prove himself at Manchester United.

The striker has been at Old Trafford since the age of 10 and struck up a rapport with the former United hero, who announced his retirement from the game in The Times last week, as he came through the ranks. The pair were in touch again this week, after Campbell, who is on loan at Tottenham this season, scored on his full debut for the under-21s in their 2-0 win over the Czech Republic at Bramall Lane on Tuesday, and the 21-year-old sees his prolific form on loan for Hull City last season and Spurs this past week as reason to try again with the European champions.

“United's the team I'm [registered] with, so I want to go back there and do well,” Campbell said. “But you've got to be realistic when the time comes to make a decision. You've got to make the right decision for yourself. But it's a good challenge for me because you've got to aim for the top. Every day you work hard to reach that goal.”

Campbell had just started senior school when Cole was winning his Champions League medal with United's memorable triumph over Bayern Munich in 1999. “When I was younger I didn't used to support a team,” Campbell said. “I used to just support Andy Cole. He was the person that I watched every week. He was really helpful to me. I chat to him nowadays and he gives me tips on how to develop my game.

“He's been a mentor to me. He's given me advice on just about everything - his experiences in the game, what he did in training, out of training; just life advice, really. I've always looked up to him so it's great to get advice from someone like that.

“Andy was there when I first went to United and I was a bit awe-struck at first, but it was great. I probably model myself on him a little because I watched him such a lot. I always thought, 'I want to be Andy Cole today' at school.' ”

Campbell hopes that the increased status of the European Under-21 Championship finals, in which Stuart Pearce's team will compete in Sweden in June, will help his ambitions with United and the England senior team. “We have the players and the squad to win,” he said. “The higher profile of the tournament will mean you get a bit of exposure out there and hopefully it will boost your career.”