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Nasri can be the new Cantona - Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand would welcome Samir Nasri at Old Trafford © PA Photos

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• Profile: Rio Ferdinand | Samir Nasri

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Arsenal's Samir Nasri has all the attributes required to follow in the footsteps of another great Frenchman at Old Trafford - Eric Cantona.

The young attacking midfielder has refused to distance himself from reports he could be set to make a shock move to the Premier League champions in the near future, as his contract at Emirates Stadium enters its final year.

Ferdinand believes the 23-year-old is already one of the best players in the Premier League and would develop even more under Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Samir Nasri is an excellent player who has a good technique and a huge amount of talent," Ferdinand said. "And he scores goals.

"For me, he is one of the best players right now. I think he even won the title of best French football player at international level.

"The French have a history of good players here. Thierry Henry has been fantastic. Just like Cantona.

"And let's not forget Marcel Desailly."

Ferguson, meanwhile, stressed he will spend in the summer to ensure United remain ahead of their rivals in England.

"I'm looking at possibly a couple, maybe three signings, which would boost our overall quality in the team," Ferguson told Inside United. "Of course, the way we're looking at it is we have Ryan Giggs coming towards the end of his career and Gary Neville's already retired.

"Edwin van der Sar announced his retirement and there are holes we want to plug in terms of the safety and security of the team in the next few years."

The Scot dismissed any suggestions he might be the next one to step away from the Old Trafford cauldron.

"I'm not going to take it easy because we won the title," he said. "Hopefully, we'll be better next season. The only thing you can do at this club is win - that's all that matters."

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