RIO FERDINAND has urged Everton centre-back John Stones to become a big star at Manchester United rather than a bit-part player at Chelsea.

Stones has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks after the Toffees, who insist he is going nowhere, twice rejected big money bids from Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho is believed to see the former Barnsley defender as a natural successor to John Terry, but Ferdinand says the 21-year-old should put regular football first.

"If he goes to Man United, he plays every week, so that's the right club for him," said Ferdinand. "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."