Mikael Silvestre has revealed that he was close to signing for Manchester City when he left rivals Manchester United in the summer of 2008.

With the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra and Wes Brown all ahead of him in the pecking order at Old Trafford at the time, the former France international was informed by Sir Alex Ferguson that he could leave the club.

That prompted transfer talks with Man City, before he eventually opted for a move to Arsenal.

"There was an offer from City when I was leaving," he told BBC Sport. "I had a chat with City boss Mark Hughes and was in the middle of the medical when Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger called me.

"City weren't what they are now so I decided to follow the French contingent down in London and it was an easier decision because leaving United for City would have been hard for me and my family every day."

Silvestre spent nine years with United, winning the Premier League title on five occasions in the process.