Joe Cole believes Sir Alex Ferguson sold David Beckham due to his celebrity profile that may have hindered the harmony of the squad.
The former Chelsea star played alongside the Manchester United legend with England and saw first hand the global appeal he had.
Cole claimed it was like travelling with the Beatles when he saw how much attention Beckham got at the World Cup in 2002.
Beckham burst onto the scene at Old Trafford and was part of the famed Class of 92.
In 2003 though he was sold to Real Madrid after his relationship with Ferguson deteriorated and Cole put that down to the Scot being unable to to manage his player.
"Beckham's the best in terms of building his brand," he told FootballJOE.
"I didn't know what a brand was, I had no interest in any of the media stuff, I just wanted to play football.
"So, for instance, we'd go to Japan and I'm telling you people would be pushing Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen out the way to get to Beckham.
"It was like being with the Beatles.
"And then Sven, looking back now, he enabled that. He was something separate to what a footballer was, within a footballing unit, and I'm not blaming Becks for that because David Beckham was one of the most fantastic players I've played with, so talented.
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"But Alex Ferguson recognised that. He's a manager and you have to be in charge and manage that group."
The former United boss has previously addressed his relationship with Beckham.
His marriage to Victoria, then part of the Spice Girls, who themselves enjoyed global status, has been cited as an issue.
Ferguson also claims Beckham made the rare decision to be famous which ultimately undermined his career in Manchester.
He said: "David was the only player I managed who chose to be famous, who made it his mission to be known outside the game."
"The minute a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the manager he had to go... David thought he was bigger than Alex Ferguson. There is no doubt about that in my mind."
Beckham would go on to play for LA Galaxy and AC Milan before concluding his career at PSG.
He now owns MLS side Inter Miami, where former team-mate Phil Neville is the manager.
