Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Casemiro is ‘wiping the floor’ with Thomas Partey despite Arsenal leading the Premier League.
The Brazilian midfielder completed a big-money switch to Old Trafford in the summer having bid farewell to Real Madrid. He has very quickly become a key player for Erik ten Hag and has spearheaded the Red Devils’ charge up the Premier League table.
Casemiro has 27 appearances to his name this term for the Red Devils, scoring twice and providing five assists. His excellent displays have seen him earn praise from a number of quarters - Ferdinand among those.
The Red Devils’ icon has claimed that he is even comfortably outperforming Arsenal midfielder Partey despite the Gunners currently possessing a considerable lead at the top of the Premier League table. Speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, Ferdinand said: "He [Partey] is actually playing some passes I didn’t know he had. At Atletico Madrid did you see those passes? In the Champions League?"
"In terms of whose more important to their team, you can argue for both sides. But when you throw the stats in, Casemiro wipes the floor with him. I don’t think Partey is good enough defensively to do what Casemiro is doing. I don’t think he has the impact to do defensively what Casemiro is doing for Man United."
Partey, 29, arrived at Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2020. Injuries have limited his contributions at the Emirates Stadium over the last couple of seasons but he is now enjoying an extremely productive campaign with the Gunners.
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The two players are actually set to face off over the next week in a match that will give supporters an accurate idea over who is more crucial to their team. Arsenal host Man Utd at the Emirates Stadium this Sunday.
Mikel Arteta ’s Gunners could potentially extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points with a victory, whilst the Red Devils could move just six points behind the London side with a win of their own.
Ferdinand is not the only one to have praised Casemiro ahead of the game. Man Utd boss Ten Hag has praised the Brazilian for his adaptation to English football and his ability to raise standards at Old Trafford.
Speaking about Real Madrid’s decision to sell him, the Dutchman said: "I am happy they did! But you see also at the World Cup he is a magnificent player.
“My analysis before the season was we needed that 6 position and he is fulfilling that position. In pre-season, we had a lot of discussions but you need the right player and we definitely have the right player. I am really happy for Manchester United, for this team to have him because he is really raising the limits for Manchester United."
