Hughes spent 3 years with Cantona at United from 1992 to 1995.
“Robinho has definitely had an effect on Stephen Ireland,” he said in The Daily Star Sunday.
“That’s a consequence of bringing in top players.
“It happened at United with Eric Cantona. People immediately recognised that he was a huge talent.
“I think Robinho can be as big a talisman as Cantona. He’s a world-class talent and has got that stature.”
