Patrice Evra has spoken of the similarities between Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie, comparing the Manchester United and Netherlands duo.

Van Persie moved to Manchester United for a fee thought to be €29.5 million, leaving Arsenal without their star striker. But the Dutchman has had terrific success at the current Premier League leaders, scoring 11 goals already in the process of helping Manchester United to the top of the table.

Evra told the Times of India of the similarities he sees between the Dutch pair.

He said of Van Persie: “He seems like he has played for us for many years and he reminds me of Ruud Van Nistelrooy. I played with Ruud when I signed for United and remember what a great player he was.

“First of all, they are both Dutch! But it’s the class and the touch they both have when you pass the ball to them.

“Robin is just a top-class player and you can see why United wanted him and why the gaffer worked so hard to get him.

“He has started so well and I just hope he can keep going because, at United, you have to do that in every game and we have to do everything we can to make sure he feels good.

“I hope he can keep going because he can be one of the best.”