Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has likened Robin van Persie's impact on the current team to that of club legend Eric Cantona.

Frenchman Cantona, who joined the Red Devils in November 1992, was viewed by many as the catalyst behind United's Premier League triumph back in 1993.

With Van Persie having scored 15 goals in 21 outings since he joined from Arsenal in the summer, Ferguson has admitted that he has seen some similarities between the two.

"I think it is happening. The attacking aspect of our game has definitely improved," he told Eurosport-Yahoo. "He has a similar profile to Eric. There is a maturity about him.

"He had a great spell at Arsenal so there was no issue with him going from one big club to another. He's an established international and his profile suited us perfectly."

Cantona, who went on to win four league titles with United, called time on his career in 1997.