Rio Ferdinand was taken aback upon learning what Graeme Souness recently said about Manchester United new boy Casemiro, after the Scot claimed the Brazilian had “never been a great player.”
Casemiro was presented to the Old Trafford crowd ahead of Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Liverpool on Monday after signing a four-year deal. He is Erik ten Hag’s fourth signing of the summer and the defensive midfielder the club have been crying out for.
However, despite his five Champions League and three La Liga successes, Souness doesn’t believe Casemiro is the world-class talent United need. Souness said : “You’re getting a ‘steady Eddie’.
READ MORE: Neville explains why United’s Casemiro deal ‘should not have happened’
“He was playing with great players, he’s not a great player, he’s never been a great player. I don’t think he’s got any great range of passing, I don’t think he’s going to make other people play.
"I think he was lucky to be in that Real Madrid team, I never look forward to watching Casemiro play, [Karim] Benzema, yes, the other players, definitely. I never think I’m really excited to watch Casemiro.”
Following the win, Ferdinand hit back at the comments while purring over what Casemiro can add to Erik ten Hag’s set-up. “Do you know what it is, I think it is because Sky Sports don’t do Champions League (coverage),” he joked on YouTube show FIVE.
“My man has five Champions Leagues - you (Souness) don’t watch it! Imagine adding Casemiro to that team with the way they played today, I’m licking my lips, man.”
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