Rio Ferdinand believes Everton youngster John Stones would be better off joining Manchester United.

The 21-year-old centre-back continues to be heavily linked with a summer move to Chelsea but is unlikely to be a regular as Jose Mourinho currently has John Terry and Gary Cahill filling the central defensive slots.

Former Red Devils star Ferdinand feels that Stones, if he were to leave Goodison Park, would be better suited to Old Trafford as their shortage of quality centre-halves will allow him to become first choice.

Speaking a BT Sport media event, Ferdinand said: “Will Stones play every week?

“It depends where he goes. If he goes to Manchester United, he plays every week so that's the right club for him I think.

“If he goes to Chelsea, he's not playing every week. He's at that stage of his development where he wants to play every week.

“If you say to any young footballer to leave a club to sit on the bench, you've got to be a lunatic. You have to be.

“I think he is the real deal. He's very good on the ball. I took a real interest in him and watched him at Loftus Road against Bobby Zamora, who gave most centre-halves problems last season physically, and he handled Bobby well.

“That was one of the areas that I hadn't really seen him under pressure with and he looked up for that battle. With all the other stuff he's got, he's got a real good chance."