Rio Ferdinand sends warning to ‘best defensive midfielder in the world’ Casemiro

Rio Ferdinand has warned new Manchester United signing Casemiro he will have to get used to life on the bench while Erik ten Hag’s rejuvanated side are in the midst of a winning run.

After a shambolic start to the new season, United made it four victories from four after the outsmarted Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday when two counter-attacking goals from Marcus Rashford sealed a 3-1 win.

The much derided Scott McTominay produced one of his best performances in a United shirt on Sunday and the Scotland international is currently keeping the new signing from Real Madrid out of the team.

Casemiro is likely to make his full debut in the Europa League on Thursday against Real Sociedad but Ferdinand fears the £60million new recruit will have to wait a little longer to force his way into Ten Hag’s Premier League starting XI.

He told Five: ‘Everyone’s wondering why Casemiro isn’t playing but this team are winning and I know as a player it’s hard to change a winning team, especially when they’ve been searching for some consistency for a long time.

‘If they continue keeping on winning it’s going to be difficult for Casemiro to get into this team at the moment no matter how good he is and I think he’s the best holding midfielder in the world right now.

‘The manager is more interested in the culture and the team over individuals.’

Meanwhile, fellow summer signing Tyrell Malacia has welcomed comparisons with Manchester United legend Patrice Evra following his bright start to life at Old Trafford.

Malacia has started at left-back in United’s run of four consecutive wins against Liverpool, Southampton, Leicester City and Arsenal, keeping Shaw out of the team in a new-look backline line alongside Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.

The Netherlands international had perhaps his strongest outing in the 2-1 win over Liverpool last month, helping keep Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold quiet.

Ferdinand lavished praise on the full-back following that performance, telling FIVE: ‘He reminds me of Patrice Evra in many ways,’ said Ferdinand after United beat Liverpool. ‘He’s athletic, he looks like a pound-for-pound strong kid.

Responding to Ferdinand’s comments, Malacia has now told United’s website: “It’s the first time hearing it, because I don’t watch the media.

‘So for me it is the first time I’m hearing this but it’s a big compliment. I’m honoured to get this compliment from him, yeah.’

MORE : William Gallas slams ‘big mistakes’ made by William Saliba and Ben White in Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United

MORE : Tyrell Malacia responds to Rio Ferdinand comparing him to Manchester United legend Patrice Evra

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