Former Aston Villa and Everton star Andy Gray says Manchester United's wingers have contributed significantly to Wayne Rooney's success this season.

Rooney is up for both the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards this season.

Gray told manutd.com: "Antonio Valenica is never going to be Cristiano Ronaldo - I think Antonio knows that and so does Sir Alex. But what he can be is a supply line," said Gray.

"I think he's a fantastic crosser of the ball, he very rarely disappoints when he's delivering from wide and I think Wayne's benefited from that.

"Also, Nani has been much better this season, certainly in the last couple of months. He's looked more like the player Sir Alex thought he would be."

While Rooney has linked up well with Valencia and Nani, and Ronaldo before them, Gray says there's another Red who would have suited Wayne's game above all others.

"I think the way Wayne's playing at the moment, Eric Cantona would have been ideal for him," Gray pondered.

"People always think that Wayne is a support striker but I've never believed that. I've always believed he's a striker who plays right up front and gets goals, because that's what he does best. And I think with the way Eric played, as a support striker playing just off the front, it would have been a match made in heaven for United fans."