Rio Ferdinand explains why Casemiro has not surprised him at Manchester United

Rio Ferdinand never doubted that Casemiro would fail to leave his calling card at Manchester United following his arrival from Real Madrid during the summer.

After getting nowhere with their long-term pursuit of Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong, United switched their focus to Casemiro in mid-August, signing him for an initial fee of £60million. He was the exact type of player that they had been longing for, such is his quality as a world-class defensive-midfielder.

However, despite United's desperate need to add a destroyer to their pool of midfielders, the Brazilian had to be patient before earning his first meaningful chance at Old Trafford, being restricted to starting his first four Premier League games on the bench. However, since earning his first league start at Everton earlier this month, he has been an ever-present figure for Erik ten Hag, proving his importance.

His performance levels have gone up through the gears at an alarming rate and his showing against Chelsea on Saturday proved why United were right to sign him. And for former Reds centre-back Ferdinand, he has hinted that he found it somewhat strange that Ten Hag refrained from throwing him straight into his plans.

Ferdinand, speaking on Vibe with Five, said: "How do you prove yourself with cameos of minimal minutes here and there, but 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 £100million overall package minimum, who's won the Champions League a couple of months ago and saying 'prove yourself to get in this team'. 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 has to be opened, welcome him in and play because we know what you're bringing."

The Brazilian, who will have aspirations of helping his country at the World Cup in Qatar next month, has quickly cemented himself as, arguably, the best defensive-midfielder in the Premier League. Recent comparisons have been made, comparing his style with Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.

However, Ferdinand believes Casemiro is streets ahead of the Ghanaian international, adding: "Partey is a really good player, he's been really good. He's not the right player to play holding midfielder for Man United.

"We're talking about a player many rungs up. Many rungs. It's like saying before we had Fred and [Scott] McTominay in the central defensive-midfield 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."