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Eric Cantona says Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is like Brazilian Ronaldo

Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial celebrates scoring the opening goal
Image: Anthony Martial is at the right club says Eric Cantona

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has paid a huge tribute to Anthony Martial by saying he reminds him of Brazilian Ronaldo.

Martial, whose arrival from Monaco last summer for £36m raised a few eyebrows on transfer deadline day, has been a revelation in his debut season at Old Trafford. 

The Frenchman has scored 17 goals, including a last-gasp winner in the 2-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup semi-final, and the 20-year-old will be hoping to add to that tally in Saturday's Cup final against Crystal Palace.

His efforts on the pitch have even caught the eye of his compatriot and former United star Cantona who inspired United to their first top-flight title in 26 years in 1993 and scored the winner against Liverpool in the 1996 FA Cup final.

Cantona, who turns 50 on May 24, told MUTV: "Martial is very mature for his age. I think he's the same kind of player as Ronaldo.

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"Of course Ronaldo is a Brazilian, but he's as strong as him. Martial is skilful, he wants to score goals and he has good vision."

Ronaldo won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994 and 2002 and is a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year. He also played for Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan and Real Madrid during a glittering club career.

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Some reports suggested last week that PSG were weighing up a move for Martial, but he seems happy to develop at United. 

Ronaldo won the World Cup twice with Brazil
Image: Ronaldo won the World Cup twice with Brazil

He said ahead of the Wembley showdown: "Fortunately things started to go well for me from that moment on and I kept scoring regularly. I still have a lot to learn.

"I love Manchester and I love being here and certainly I see myself being here for a good while yet. The way the fans have accepted me - I have got a special relationship with them and I'm grateful. They've done their best to make me feel relaxed."

Cantona feels Martial is at the perfect place to nurture his skills.

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He added: "At Manchester it's a great club for young players when you are in the Academy and also when you are 18/19/20 years old.

"At that age you need to go and play for a great team and also you need to work with people who will help you because you're still a young player, just as Ronaldo, the Portuguese Ronaldo, did when he came to play for United and for Ferguson.

"He had the opportunity to win trophies but also [Sir Alex] Ferguson helped him to be the player he is today. And I think he has been very clever to choose Manchester United."

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