Van Persie leads the praise for Cavani after his brace against Southampton

Robin van Persie took to social media to praise Edinson Cavani for playing the role of super sub in Manchester United’s 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday.

The Uruguayan came on at half-time with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side trailing 2-0 and scored twice – including a 93rd minute winner – and set up another as United ran out 3-2 winners in a thriller at St. Mary’s.

The cameo nearly mirrored a similar performance in a United shirt by van Persie back in September 2012, who netted a hat-trick in a comeback win over the Saints in the same stadium, with the last of the goals coming in the last kick of the game.

The goals were three out of the 30 van Persie scored in the 2012-13 season, as Sir Alex Ferguson’s United eased their way to a 20th Premier League title that season.

Van Persie tweeted ‘El Matador’ in relation to Cavani’s match-winning double on Sunday, which came after he set up Bruno Fernandes’ 60th-minute strike which brought Solskjaer’s squad back into the game.

Other Manchester United supporters joined their former striker van Persie in lauding Sunday’s performance by Cavani, who now has three goals in five league matches this season.

One fan even noticed a correlation between the Uruguayan and Cavani, claiming that the pair are ‘proper centre-forwards’ to have donned the red of United.

Some supporters were so pleased by the Uruguayan’s cameo performance at Southampton they they believe Cavani should start more regularly under Solskjaer.

Cavani replaced teenage forward Mason Greenwood on Sunday afternoon after teh 19-year-old missed an easy chance in the opening minutes of the game. Greenwood rounded Saints goalkeeper Alex McCarthy but could only hit the side netting.

One fan claimed: ‘Cavani should start every game for #MUFC! His movement and class cannot be taught.He inspires the entire team with energy. He is the only true consistent finisher. Ole too defensive of a lineup to start again. 1 striker? What is he doing? Make them adjust to us not the other way?!’

Meanwhile, another fan tweeted: ‘Van De Beek and Cavani should never see the bench again unless tired !!!’