Yorke directs Van Persie to Manchester

Dwight Yorke believes want-away Arsenal striker Robin van Persie must join one of the Manchester clubs in order to win silverware.

Van Persie has told his north London employers he will not be renewing his contract at The Emirates, sparking interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.

Former Manchester United forward Yorke believes a move to Manchester would finally see Van Persie win an English Premier League title.

“He’s at a very crucial stage of his career at the age of 28 or 29,” Yorke said.

“We know what a good player he is and what a season he has had and when you do that you want to win trophies.

“The city of Manchester is the place to be if you want to win something. I think it’s more of a personal choice, it comes down to money but he won’t go wrong to going to either of the Manchester sides.”

Yorke has also warned Manchester City his old club will be hungry to win back their Premier League title.

“I think they (Manchester United) will be bitterly disappointed in terms of how City snatched the Premier League away from them last season,” he said.

“Nevertheless, knowing United, it will make them stronger and more determined to regain it.”

Yorke believes United manager Alex Ferguson is the right man to lead his side’s response, and is also wary of the threat that Chelsea will pose after their heavy spending.

“The manager likes a challenge,” the former Trinidad and Tobago international said.

“The way that City snatched the Premier League away from them last year, I think United will show a lot more determination under Sir Alex Ferguson and that something he thrives on.

“He likes these kind of competitors and he’s probably had that for some time now and that might just re-energise him and the team in terms of regaining the Premier League from City this time round and it will be fascinating.

“They’ve got a fight on their hands. The ‘noisy neighbours’ as we say have been making a lot of noise.

“And Chelsea have done remarkably too last season winning the Champions League and the FA Cup, so for me that’s where the Premier League will really be decided between those three teams.”