The striker looks to be the one addition Sir Alex Ferguson has planned for his European and Premier League Champions.
The Bulgarian has the qualities of Cantona to bring something extra to the table in order for the Reds to dominate England and chase more European crowns.
At 27 he will arrive at Old Trafford, if the Reds and Spurs can settle on a fee, just 12 months older than when French idol Cantona joined from Leeds in 1992.
Cantona added presence, a languid style, power and vision and a mixture of poaching and spectacular finishing to the mid 90s side.
He cost a bargain £1m when Fergie famously `stole' him from Elland Road. Berbatov won't be a steal with Tottenham wanting cash in the region of £25m to allow him to quit White Hart Lane.
But ex-Red forward Andy Ritchie believes it will be money well spent if Old Trafford chief executive David Gill nails down the deal, saying: "There are similarities to Eric Cantona.
"He has got the same presence about him. He's very skilful and scores the tap-ins and the awesome goals.
"But he has other qualities as well. He's got the height which United haven't really had in their regular front men since Ruud van Nistelrooy left.
Strong
"He can also hold the ball up really well because he is strong and brings other players into the game. As a forward you also say if you can get your body between yourself and the ball then defenders shouldn't be able to dispossess you.
"You don't see Berbatov being knocked off the ball or getting the ball nicked off him. He's not got electrifying pace but he's not slow."
Berbatov has been labelled lazy despite posting goal figures of 46 goals in 101 appearances for Spurs since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2006.
But Ritchie believes Sir Alex Ferguson and Co will inspire more graft from the Bulgarian.
"It is almost a pre-requisite at United that you have to put in the work," adds Andy.
"But I think that can be brought out in him. Not everybody has it on arrival but being in that environment brings it out in everyone.
"I think Berbatov would become a more complete player at United. You have the two smaller workhorses like Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez who will put the miles in for you. Tevez was amazing last season I saw a figure that he ran 7km in one United match.
"Berbatov will have fantastic work rate around him but I think that will also motivate him to put in more hard work.
"In Sir Alex's era he and his backroom team have always managed to make players better. They always get the best out of players and then that little extra.
"Look at Cristiano Ronaldo, for instance, the club has certainly brought out the best and more in him.
"I foresee that happening if Berbatov signs. He's made people sit up and take notice of him at Spurs but a club like United could make even more of him. He can only get better.
"If United get him it will add something extra to all the qualities already in the squad. It's just what you need when you have just won the title and the Champions League. It keeps you moving upwards."
Do you think Berbatov is in the same class as Cantona? Have your say.
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cjs73 (15/07/2008 at 13:06)