Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has told Wayne Rooney that Cristiano Ronaldo's time since leaving Old Trafford proves that he should stay at the club.

The England international is thought to have handed in a transfer request at the end of last season and has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Chelsea, despite new manager David Moyes insisting that the 27-year-old is not for sale.

However, Ferdinand believes that the lack of trophies won by Ronaldo since moving to Real Madrid shows that Rooney should consider staying at the club.

"I think when someone is at your club who has been there for the length of time [Rooney] has been there, he's more than clued up to understand the dynamics of the club," said Ferdinand. "He's mature enough now and old enough to make his own mind up. I'm sure in time he'll have his say.

"I don't see where you go better from here. For instance, Cristiano has been ridiculous as a football player individually but has he won more trophies since leaving than what we've won? That's the way I look at it.

"I wouldn't say that he shouldn't have gone there; it was his dream to go there, so you have to respect that. But I just look at things in a plain, black and white way - I want to win trophies so why would I leave here?"

Rooney joined United in 2004.