Rio Ferdinand dismisses Thomas Partey and Casemiro comparisons ahead of Man United against Arsenal

‘Thomas Partey isn’t good enough to do what Casemiro’s doing’: Rio Ferdinand says £70m Man United man ‘WIPES AWAY’ Arsenal’s midfield lynchpin, as the title rivals prepare to face off on Sunday

  • Rio Ferdinand has claimed Casemiro is a better midfielder than Thomas Partey
  • He praised the Ghanaian’s impact this season, as Arsenal sit atop the PL table 
  • But he doesn’t believe Partey has the same ‘impact defensively’ as Casemiro
  • Ferdinand cited unspecified statistics to support his view ahead of their clash 

Rio Ferdinand believes there is no comparison between Manchester United enforcer Casemiro and Thomas Partey despite the Arsenal midfielder’s impressive campaign. 

Ferdinand has claimed Casemiro ‘wipes him [Partey] away’ with his impact on the game, citing statistics as the basis for his argument ahead of United’s crucial trip to the Emirates to face the Gunners on Sunday.

‘I think the importance to their teams…you could argue both sides quite equally. But then, when you through the stats in Casemiro wipes him away,’ he said on his Vibe with Five Podcast. 

Rio Ferdinand believes Casemiro is some way ahead of Thomas Partey prior to United’s trip to Arsenal

The former Manchester United defender doesn’t believe Partey could do a comparable job in the middle of Erik ten Hag’s team.

‘No, no no. I don’t think Partey is good enough defensively to do what Casemiro is doing,’ he said. 

‘I don’t think he has the impact defensively for Man United, on the ball he’s doing more.’

Partey produced a commanding performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Sunday

Partey produced a commanding performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Sunday

Ferdinand did, however, praise the Ghanaian for his stellar performances this season, not least his imposing presence in Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Tottenham. 

‘On the ball, he’s doing more. He’s dictating play for Arsenal,’ he said. 

‘He’s actually playing passes I didn’t know he had. His passing has been unbelievable.’

According to Opta, Casemiro has created more chances – 14 compared to 13 – and more tackles with 46, 12 more than Partey.

But the Arsenal star has won possession 116 times, 28 more than Casemiro, and has a higher passing accuracy and a higher rate of progressive passes. 

Casemiro has been one of the signings of the season given his importance for Man United

Casemiro has been one of the signings of the season given his importance for Man United

Casemiro has been a standout player for United under Erik ten Hag after joining Man United for £70million from Real Madrid in the summer.

The Brazilian star, 30, has five assists and two goals in his 27 appearances for the Red Devils this season and has had a considerable impact in midfield.

Partey has also been influential in Arsenal’s superb first half of the campaign, with the Gunners having won 15 of their opening 18 Premier League matches.

Both Casemiro and Partey are set to have the opportunity to shine again when the sides face off for the second time this season as Arsenal look to extend their eight-point gap at the top of the Premier League. 

United are the only team to have beaten Arsenal in the Premier League so far this season

United are the only team to have beaten Arsenal in the Premier League so far this season

But the Brazilian will miss the crunch clash at the Emirates if he is booked when United play Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday. 

United have won nine straight matches in all competitions and trail the Gunners by just nine points.

Arsenal will be out for revenge at the Emirates, with their only defeat in the league this season coming when they were beaten 3-1 by United at Old Trafford in September.

PARTEY V CASEMIRO – PREMIER LEAGUE 2022-23 
Per 90 mins Partey Casemiro Per 90 mins
15 Apps 15
1304 Minutes 1068
0.14 2 Goals 2 0.17
0 0 Assists 3 0.25
1.3 19 Total Shots 15 1.3
0.9 13 Chances Created 14 1.2
82.3 1192 Touches 941 79.3
4.5 65 Progressive Passes 52 4.4
68.4 991 Passes 735 61.9
86.88 Passing Accuracy 79.73
19.5 283 Passes Ending Final 1/3 204 17.2
29% % Passes Ending Final 1/3 28%
11.8 171 Open Play Passing Seq Started 179 15.1
0.2 3 Goals From Passing Seq Started 3 0.3
1.4 20 Shots From Passing Seq Started 23 1.9
2.3 34 Tackles 46 3.9
1.2 17 Interceptions 18 1.5
8 116 Possession Won 88 7.4
0.8 11 Dribbled past by opp. 16 1.3
58.5 Duel Success 57.9
1.1 16 Fouls Conceded 28 2.4
2 Yellow Cards 4
13 Games Won 11
87% W% 73%