Marcel Desailly has told former Chelsea teammate Joe Cole to choose Manchester United ahead of Arsenal as his next destination.

Both Premiership giants have been linked with the Bosman prospect.

But Desailly told fourfourtwo.com: "A few years ago I would have thought he would go to Arsenal, but now that he is 28 he needs to go to a team that - with him or without him - will succeed, in order to put pressure on him to deliver performances.

"At Arsenal there are younger players and you need to talk to them, surround them and have a positive attitude around them.

"In Joe's current situation he needs to push on. He doesn't need to help the others, he needs a club to help him discover his best levels once again. Therefore, I would say Manchester United."