Ferdinand claims new Man Utd hero is ‘many rungs up’ on Arsenal star

Former defender Rio Ferdinand thinks Casemiro is a better signing for Man Utd than Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey would’ve been.

The Brazilian scored his first Red Devils goal as Erik ten Hag’s side came from a goal down to equalise in the dying moments of their 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Saturday.

Casemiro joined Man Utd from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window for £70m after the five-time Champions League winner wanted a new challenge.

Ten Hag has gradually eased the 30-year-old into his side this season with Casemiro now beginning to regularly start in the Premier League.

He is already making a difference, with Man Utd improving in recent weeks after the introduction of Casemiro in their engine room.

And Ferdinand thinks it was a strange decision for Ten Hag to hold back a player of his experience earlier in the season.

The former Man Utd defender said on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel: “How do you prove yourself with cameos of minimal minutes here and there but also why should he have to prove himself?

“You’re not coming into Man City, you’re not coming into Bayern Munich. You’re coming into a team that needs to improve.

“You’re bringing in someone for £70million, probably £100m overall package minimum, whose won the Champions League a couple of months ago and saying ‘prove yourself to get in this team’.

“It’s not the Man Utd of old. It’s Europa League Man Utd. He isn’t 18-years-old. If Casemiro comes through the door has to be opened, welcome him in and play because we know what you’re bringing.”

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been in great form for the Gunners this season as they’ve produced numerous impressive displays to sit top of the Premier League.

Discussing who is having a better season, Ferdinand insists that he would rather have Casemiro over Partey at Man Utd.

Ferdinand added: “Partey is a really good player, he’s been really good. He’s not the right player to play holding midfielder for Man Utd.

“We’re talking about a player many rungs up, many rungs. It’s like saying before we had Fred and McTominay in the CDM position would you not have taken Partey? Well yes I would have but what does that prove?

“All I’m saying is we’re talking about Casemiro against Partey and it’s not a competition.”

Ten Hag was full of praise for Casemiro after the Chelsea match over the weekend, he told reporters: “That’s why we brought him in. We know he’s capable of doing that. He proved it in Spain, he proved it in the Champions League, at the highest level, so he could also do it in the Premier League.

“It’s clear, the Premier League is a different league – especially with the intensity – so he needed a short period to adapt to that. Now from game to game you see him growing and you see how important he is for our game. He brings the composure, he brings the organisation and also even scores a goal. He brings a lot to the team.”

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