Alex Ferguson has paid Carlos Tevez a huge compliment by likening Manchester United's Argentinian striker to the legendary Eric Cantona.

Tevez has grown in stature at Old Trafford after his arrival from West Ham in the summer.

The 24-year-old has already scored 15 goals this season and has formed a formidable partnership with Wayne Rooney.

Ferguson said: "Carlos reminds me of Eric Cantona in the way that he has a knack of rising to the occasion with a goal just when it is needed.

"He often comes up with the goods away from home when you are up against it. I do not think anything fazes him and he keeps his cool in the box.

"He is proving to be a master at scoring the really important goals - the ones that give you a win or a draw, especially away from home.

"He did it at Tottenham to salvage a point as he made the result 1-1. He scored for a 1-0 win at Liverpool and he rescued us again by finding the net late at Lyon and nullifying their lead."

Team Talk / Eurosport