Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes that Bruno Fernandes shares similar qualities to Eric Cantona.

Fernandes has made an immediate impact at Old Trafford since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon, contributing two goals and three assists in the Premier League prior to the coronavirus postponement.

Scholes, who scored 155 goals in 718 appearances for United, has heaped praise on the 25-year-old midfielder but believes that the Red Devils still have some way to go to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Scholes said: "The one thing with Bruno is he doesn't look like a central midfielder to me, he's an out and out number 10. He's great on the ball, always on the half turn and he's the link that United really needed.

"They lacked that quality in midfield and since he came in he's had that. He can feed the ball in to players, he's got a great shot on him and he looks like a real leader as well. United had lacked that.

"Whether he can play in midfield in a two, that's yet to be seen. He's more like an Eric Cantona, a Teddy Sheringham - he can beat players as well. He is somebody who brings what was sadly missing at Old Trafford and he seems to have livened up everyone. The team is playing well and they look like scoring goals.

"I still think they are a bit off the pace, they've looked good lately since Fernandes came in but Liverpool and Manchester City are streets ahead. There are three or four signings that can help but for the first time in a long time you feel like they could close the gap to the top."

United currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, although all elite-level football in England is shrouded in uncertainty amid the outbreak of COVID-19.