Gary Pallister says Edinson Cavani reminds him of the iconic impact that Eric Cantona made at Old Trafford.
Following serious doubts over his future, Uruguayan striker Cavani will remain a Manchester United player beyond the summer after putting pen-to-paper on a 12-month contract extension.
The 34-year-old, who arrived on a free transfer from French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain ahead of this season, is still as sharp as ever in the penalty area - highlighted by nine goals in 11 Premier League starts.
It's not only his on-field exploits that have impressed Pallister and other Old Trafford observers, though.
Indeed, the former Napoli frontman has proven to be a fitting role model for the likes of Mason Greenwood and his fellow academy graduate Marcus Rashford.
So much so that Pallister has even drawn comparisons between Cavani and Cantona - a former United teammate of his between 1992 and 1997, when 'The King' surprisingly hung up his boots at the age of 30.
During an interview with Compare.bet, Pallister said: "You've got to manage him, and I think Ole's doing a great job with that. He's 34 now, and I remember chatting to Sir Alex, he'd always used to say centre forward is one of the hardest positions to play, especially as a lone striker. The energy and hard work required, once you get to a certain age you have to watch the fitness of strikers carefully - so I think Ole's been great in managing Cavani.
"At 34 he's not going to be playing two games a week, I think that'd be asking too much, but he's the most natural centre forward in that squad, I think he's been an incredible addition and I'm absolutely delighted he's staying for another year. Because he's only playing once a week you don't see a lag in him, you see him performing and he's top drawer every time he's on the pitch at the moment."
Pallister added: "If someone like Harry Kane becomes available, which he potentially could be this summer, if you're Manchester United you've got one eye on the future and, if he becomes available, the club would be interested in bringing him in. But with Cavani's signing, it's not just what he's doing on the pitch, you hear about what he's doing behind the scenes and what a terrific pro he's been.
"It's like when Cantona came in, we hadn't seen this type before, he was so professional in the way he was training, eating and looking after himself, it was a real eye-opener not just for the young kids at the club, but the older pros as well. Back in our day, we weren't as professional as the set-ups now with the health and well-being support they receive compared to the 90s.
"Cavani has been great. When he plays in front of a full house at Old Trafford, I think we will fall in love even more."
