Louis van Gaal hails Robin van Persie-esque Graziano Pelle

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has said that he is not surprised to see Southampton hitman Graziano Pelle taking the Premier League by storm.

The 29-year-old has scored nine goals for the Saints in all competitions since sealing an £8m summer move to the South Coast from Feyenoord.

Van Gaal, who signed the Italian for AZ Alkmaar in 2007, will come up against his former protege on Monday night when United travel to St Mary's, and the Dutchman has warned his team that Pelle shares some of the same qualities as Robin van Persie.

"I am not surprised [at his success] because I bought him at AZ as he was an attacking point," Van Gaal is quoted as saying by ESPN.

"I've said about Van Persie that I like strikers who are an attacking point, not only a striker who scores goals.

"He is also very creative. He is always seeing the third man. Van Persie is also always seeing the third man."

Pelle has not scored in any of his last five outings for Southampton.