Rio Ferdinand has laughed off suggestions that Thomas Partey has played better than Casemiro so far this season.
Casemiro has featured in 12 games for Manchester United so far after making a £70million move from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. It took him five Premier League matches to break into the Red Devils' starting line-up, but since then he has starred for Erik ten Hag's men.
Partey has also impressed for Arsenal in their charge to the top of the Premier League, starting eight games in the top-flight. But Ferdinand is firm in his belief that it is Casemiro who has been the most impressive of the duo this campaign.
"Partey is good player, I think he's a really good player, he’s been really good for you guys. He’s not the right player to play holding midfielder for Man United," the former United star told Vibe with Five.
"We’re talking about another player many rungs up, many rungs up. 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 I'm saying it’s not a competition. It's not a competition."
Ferdinand is under no illusions as to the difference that Casemiro has already made to the United team. He hailed the impact of the Brazilian and insisted that Ten Hag should have deployed him in his starting line-up sooner.
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"Martinez and Varane and Casemiro, what that triangle has done, what that's done for this team in terms of security, experience, but also allowing other people to go and play. We've got controllers in there now," Ferdinand added.
"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 not the Man United of old. It’s Europa League Man United. He isn’t 18-years-old. If Casemiro comes through the door, my man has to be opened, welcome him in and say play because we know what you’re bringing. I'm saying play him."
The highlight of Casemiro's time at United so far arguably came on Saturday in their trip to Chelsea. Having impressed in midfield at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian international then headed in a late equaliser to steal a point for the Red Devils.
His next outing in the Premier League will likely come on Sunday evening when West Ham visit Old Trafford. Ten Hag's men can jump into the top four if they defeat the Hammers and other results go their way, with that clash following a Europa League game against Sheriff.
