CRISTIANO Ronaldo has become as elusive and influential as Eric Cantona.

The French idol has been undisputed No 1 import in Sir Alex Ferguson's 21-year reign as Old Trafford boss.

Cantona was the catalyst for the Reds' breakthrough as the English power in the 90s. On a modern list of United greats King Eric is at the pinnacle for a generation of Reds.

But ex-United right back Viv Anderson believes Ronaldo has displaced Cantona from his perch as top dog in the Fergie era.

"After overtaking George Best's 40-year achievement of 32 goals from the wing in a season there is this debate going on between the Irishman and Ronaldo," Anderson told M.E.N. Sport.

"I played against George when I was very young and he was in his latter days as a player with Fulham. I was certainly wary of him and what he could do but it was hard to judge him by then, as he wasn't at his peak.

"However, I watched Eric Cantona when he was in his prime. I know how difficult an opponent he was. Eric embraced the whole United thing. He wasn't scared of it.

"He wasn't in awe of it. He just loved the stage. Cristiano Ronaldo is exactly the same. Old Trafford and the expectations won't wreck him. He needs it. He takes it all on board and responds to it.

Mature

"He is 23 yet Cantona wasn't even at United when he was that age. He took on the task when he was a more mature person. So consider what Cristiano can become!"

As a double European Cup winner with Forest and 30 England caps to his name, Anderson knows exactly the problems posed by the Madeiran magician.

"As a full back you study your wing opponent and find which is his weaker foot," Anderson explained.

"Once you have pinpointed that you will then always try to force him on to that leg during a game to give you the advantage.

"Also with most wingers you know they will invariably try to go outside you. That's their game. But Ronaldo poses you a problem with both those situations. Firstly, you don't know which is his weaker foot because he is equally adept with right and left.

"And secondly, you cannot ease him down the touchline because he can come inside you and move infield. Opponents don't know what to do with him. Do you man mark him and go everywhere with him?

"Do you mark zonal and try to pass him on to somebody else? You just cannot tie the man down. Eric Cantona was just the same.

Elusive

"Eric wasn't a winger and did his damage more in the middle by dropping off but he had the same freedom that Ronaldo has so he was elusive.

"You never felt safe and never had him in your pocket. He'd drift off somewhere else and do damage there.

"Nobody really knows where Cristiano is going to hurt you most. He can get past full backs either side and provide a great cross. He can move infield and hit a great shot. He's got the bravery to want the ball all the time so he rarely disappears from a game. A defender can never have a moment where he thinks Ronaldo won't be a problem.

"It was just the same with Eric. These kinds of players can pop up anywhere and are impossible to keep quiet. They find space and time where others can't. Eric could win matches out of nothing. He'd turn a game in an instant when things weren't quite going for United. Ronaldo does exactly the same."

Do you think Ronaldo is better than Cantona? Have your say.