Former Manchester United defender and pundit Rio Ferdinand believes that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is an upgrade on Arsenal star Thomas Partey. It comes as the Brazilian is starting to edge his way into the side after making a big-money move to the Red Devils in the summer.
However, his importance is yet to be felt in the same way that Partey is at the Emirates Stadium, given the key role that he plays in the midfield. The Ghanaian is tasked with breaking up transitions to allow the side to sustain pressure, but his recent injury concerns have left the side feeling his absence when he isn't available.
"The stats are there, and they are unquestionable," Mikel Arteta told the Daily Mail back in April when discussing the importance of Partey in his midfield. "The win rate when Thomas is there is higher. It is something that is not good for us because, in the last two seasons, he has not been there as much as we want.
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"We need him to play in that role on his own, with the quality he brings and the experience that he brings. And the fact he brings things that are unique that we want."
The 29-year-old's job for the team has such importance, however, former defender Ferdinand believes that Man United summer signing Casemiro is "rungs above" Partey. The Brazilian signed for United for roughly £63million, making 12 appearances so far, though mostly from the bench while he built fitness.
His most recent contribution was a last-gasp equaliser against Chelsea, as his header crept over the line to earn his side a point in injury time. "How do you prove yourself with cameos of minimal minutes here and there but also, why should he have to prove himself?" Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.
"You're not coming into Man City. You're not coming to 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."
He was then pressed on a comparison with Partey and said: "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 with 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."
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