Piers Morgan has called out Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand by claiming that Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey has been better than Casemiro this season.
Partey has played an integral part in Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge, with the Gunners eight points clear of Manchester City and United.
Casemiro has also had a significant impact in the United midfield since his blockbuster £70m transfer from Real Madrid last summer.
The 30-year-old Brazilian midfielder has had a commanding presence on the pitch for United and forged an effective partnership with fellow signing Christian Eriksen.
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Ferdinand has insisted that former Madrid star Casemiro is leagues ahead of the 29-year-old Partey due to his superior defensive attributes.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, he said: “I think the importance to their teams… you could argue both sides quite equally -- but then, when you throw the stats in, Casemiro wipes him away.
“I don’t think Partey could do what Casemiro does. I don’t think Partey is good enough defensively to do what Casemiro is doing.
“I don’t think he has the impact defensively [for Arsenal as Casemiro has] for Man United.”
Responding to Ferdinand’s comparison between Partey and Casemiro, Gunners fan Morgan took to Twitter to offer his two cents on the two midfielders.
“Hi [Rio] if you genuinely think Partey isn’t as good as Casemiro then you’re in for a nasty shock on Sunday when he bullies your guy into submission and I get this trending again,” he tweeted.
However, Casemiro has been ruled out of United’s upcoming Premier League clash against Arsenal due to suspension.
The Brazil international picked up his fifth yellow card of the season after being booked in the 80th minute in United’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
Following Casemiro’s booking at Selhurst Park, Morgan took another opportunity to aim a dig at Ferdinand by insisting that Partey is better than the United midfielder.
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The TalkTV host wrote: “So, Casemiro got himself suspended for Sunday’s big match against Arsenal, and then missed an absolute sitter at the end to cost Utd victory. Better than Partey? Methinks not.”
United, who are level with crosstown Manchester rivals City, will travel to the Emirates on Sunday for their showdown with Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Topics: Arsenal, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Football, Rio Ferdinand, Casemiro, Thomas Partey
Adnan Riaz