Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has admitted that he is "honoured" by being compared to Red Devils legend Eric Cantona.

The Portugal international has helped Man United secure a top-three finish for consecutive seasons for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Cantona's arrival at Old Trafford in 1992 is said to be the catalyst which started Man United's dominance under Ferguson, and the Frenchman won the Premier League in four of the five years he was at the club.

Speaking to the BBC, Fernandes said: "It is an honour to be compared with him (Cantona) because the impact he had was really high and he won many major trophies with the club. But when you are compared with this kind of big player it means you need to be better every day. It makes me work harder to keep in the mind of the people, being compared with him. That, for me, is a good pressure.

"It is such a big club. It would be heavy to lift it myself. Of course, I did really well. I know that, from my numbers, my performance, everything. But this comes from the help and trust of my teammates. They have helped me to be better every day. And if they help me, I know I can help them.

"If you are not doing well in the present, people forget about what you have done in the past.. We see players making history in football for many years and still they get shouted at. This team is improving. Everyone can see it. We are growing up and understand together we can reach better things.

"The most important thing for me about next season is being all together; club, players and fans pushing to the same side. If we all do that we could do many good things next season, which, I am pretty sure, will be much better than this one."

Fernandes has the chance to win his first trophy as a Man United player when the Red Devils face Villarreal in the Europa League final on Wednesday.