I agree we will need to find an improvement on both players. But that will be easier said than done. Both this season have been at an incredibly high level. With Partey I'm sure we can find a better passer but also need someone who can defend at minimum as well but ideally better. Any suggestions? We've recently been linked to Zubimendi but he doesn't want to move this window, don't know too much about him.

With Xhaka I think his mentality has been key as well, we will find technically better players but would they be leaders on and off the pitch for us as well? We have seen with Zinchenko a difference mentally strong players have made and I think Xhaka has been key in that regard as well.

    JazzG Been awhile since I watched la Real consistently but did my research on Zubimendi and realised he's been one of La Liga's standout performer this season. Plays as a single pivot in a diamond, very intelligent in transition and short passes. Like Rodri/Busquets. Weakness is his slightly smaller frame.

    Looks like a better Rice.

    Gurgen
    Really disagree with this. The only CM playing at this level is Rodri. Partey has amazing distribution and retention. Very brave. And yesterday showed his speed with how he just tracked down Antony on the break to kick the ball out for a corner.

      Casemiro is probably the best CM in the league this season (unless Ødegaard is a CM I guess), but I agree that finding an improvement on Partey will be almost impossible.

      Casemiro is substantially better as a defensive force. But he doesn’t have the playmaking ability of Partey. And given how front footed we are, Partey is the more appropriate player for us

        Claudius yeah, I'm with you Claude.

        I actually think Partey slowing it down has benefits. First, you can tell other teams don't want to step to him as he's so press resistant. In turn, you see the defense of other teams actually become flat footed in front of him, which then lets him bypass them with a pass around them. It also helps us have the correct shape in receiving the pass from him. Were he to play it faster we'd have to shorten our spacing, and play more tiki-taka inspired (tight between players) which isn't what we're excelling at (spreading teams, creating 2v1's).

        Claudius Don't agree here, Casemiro passing between the line and distribution is very underrated. So is his shot prowess too.

        He is basically the best DM for the past decade.

        Both men are fantastic but I believe on this specific team Partey works better than Casemiro would. These are the key differences.

        Defensively, Casemiro is the much better tackler, more physical. Partey is stronger and interceptions and reads the game really well, probably a result of years of zonal defense under Simeone.

        On offense, more nuanced. Partey is more suited for our offense because he is more comfortable on the ball. So he is able to attract defenses and do short progressive passes, creating quick advantage for us. He does this faster and more accurately. Where Casemiro is better is the long range Xhaka style distribution.

        So it depends on what you are doing. If I’m 2020 Liverpool, I take Casemiro because he can better put the ball into the wings and lead the second line of the press. If I’m 2020 City, I take Partey because he can progress to KDB and Gundo better.

        Regardless, it was in response to you saying that Rodri was the only CM at his level.

        For this team, yeah. This is an accurately assembled team. I really don’t think we look this good with Casemiro. It’s like asking if I’d take recent Fabinho who I rate as a beast, but not for us.

        Casimero is 31 in a month.

        That all action style won't last more than 12-18 months tops no matter how good his tackling is.

          Gunner89 That all action style won't last more than 12-18 months tops no matter how good his tackling is.

          really underrating him there. He's not an all-action CM anyway.

          Fernandinho lasted at a very high level till 36 and even now Rodri is not even half that player yet so I see no reason why a proper pivot can't last.

          Same goes for Partey

          Fernandinho was a completely different type of player from Casimero.

          Even if you put that aside, you are taking 1 out of 100 as an example that made it to the late 30's as an important player as a DM. The likelihood is that Casimero will be like the 99.

          Completely different type?!

          We are now in OTT differentiating mode of DMs ffs

          Put your money where your mouth is- If Casimero is making 20+ EPL starts for Utd at 36, I'll bet you 100 pounds that he won't.

          Put up or shut up.

            I think Partey is outstanding. One of the 3-4 best defensive midfielders in the world, and much better than Casemiro.

            Gunner89 you're just assuming that everyone is risk neutral? Nothing wrong with having an opinion without being willing to bet on it. Plenty of people on this forum probably either believe or don't believe that we're winning the league without betting, for example. What a fascinatingly weird take.

              Saying that one of those two is "much better" than the other honestly either sounds like crazy talk or "I've watched one of them" talk. Casemiro did seem to be on a downwards trajectory in his last season at RM, but then he's come here and is bossing it completely. I had hoped he'd be lazy and came to United to sleep his way through a massive contract after winning it all.

              I find these types of comparisons a little wearisome to be honest, but one thing to bear in mind is the number 6 doesn't mean the same thing in every side. Partey's role is very different to Casemiro's and the burdon on the former is far higher.

              One more thing, I think Partey's passing ability is massively underrated. Genuinely in disbelief that it gets criticism from some. The pace, timing and accuracy of his passing is superb as is his decision making. It's one of the key reasons why teams struggle against us so much, because he switches play rapidly or disguises his pass. Take a closer look, it never slows the play down. It sets the tone for our fast paced football. It's actually one of the reasons I don't rate Rodri as much as others, because as good as he is technically and as secure as his passing is, everything is a little slower compared to Fernandinho.