London, Aug 18 : Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said Robin Van Persie could emulate the feats achieved by French striker Eric Cantona at Old Trafford, and added that though they could have won the Premier League title without signing him, the Dutch forward's addition has made it a near certainty.

Van Persie completed his 22 million pounds transfer from Arsenal on Friday.

Cantona remains a legendary figure among the United faithful and was credited with transforming the fortunes of the Red Devils following his arrival from Leeds in November 1992.

But after United ended last season without a trophy, Ferguson admitted that Van Persie's signing echoed that of Cantona in terms of the qualities he could bring to Old Trafford.

"I think he is what we have needed for the last couple of years. He's got maturity to his game now - an authority, timing and understanding of the game and I think we will benefit for the next four years and beyond," The Telegraph quoted Ferguson, as saying.

"We have had several players who have been that sort of catalyst, starting with Cantona. I don't think we're short of all that, I think we were still capable of winning the title without Robin, but he gives us a sort of certainty for the future," he said.

Ferguson further said: "He is a player that every time I gave team talks was a problem for us because he kept popping up in different positions, sometimes on the right, sometimes dropping off, sometimes in the middle, so at least I've take that problem away from myself."

"He can play, score, he's quick, he's a different physical specimen to the players we have. Also, you always learn from great players. If you look at what Cantona did, he was a tremendous teacher for the young players and I think Danny Welbeck will welcome that," he added. (ANI)