Manchester United's new signing Andrey Santos could make his competitive debut this weekend after joining from Chelsea in a deal worth up to £50 million. The 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder is in line to start the Premier League opener at Hull City on Saturday.
Santos arrives at Old Trafford following a single season at Chelsea, where he played fewer than 1,300 Premier League minutes. His move comes as United reshuffle their midfield following Casemiro's departure and with Manuel Ugarte injured. The club is also close to signing Brighton's Carlos Baleba, who will provide competition once fit from an ankle injury.
What do his former coaches say?
Igor Henriques Guerra, who coached Santos at Vasco da Gama, describes him as an exemplary player with a professional mindset. "He was always a role model," Guerra told reporters. "He guided his team-mates on the pitch."
Ramon Menezes, who gave Santos his senior Brazil debut in 2023, praised his tactical maturity and leadership. "He has excellent control of the ball, impressive tactical maturity combined with a natural leadership spirit," Menezes said. Both coaches highlight his football intelligence and ability to read the game, which allows him to make quick decisions and play forward passes.
Where will he fit in United's squad?
Andrey Santos has played as a holding midfielder during United's six pre-season friendlies. With Casemiro gone and Ugarte sidelined, that position is open. Competition will come from the impending arrival of Carlos Baleba and from within the existing squad, where Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount typically operate in more advanced roles.
United's busy schedule, including a return to the Champions League, means there will be minutes for multiple players. Santos's early integration this summer gives him a head start over Baleba, who is recovering from injury. The club's current midfield options and their contract situations are detailed below.
| Player | Age | Position | Contract Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrey Santos | 22 | Defensive Midfield | 2031 |
| Kobbie Mainoo | 21 | Central Midfield | 2030 |
| Mason Mount | 27 | Attacking Midfield | 2028 |
| Youri Tielemans | 29 | Central Midfield | 2027 |
What is his playing style and background?
Santos began his career at Vasco da Gama, becoming their youngest senior debutant of the 21st century at age 16. He was instrumental in their 2022 promotion campaign, scoring eight goals. Initially a deep-lying distributor, coaches encouraged him to make late runs into the box, a trait he showcased with 10 league goals for Strasbourg in the 2024-25 season.
His time in Europe has been varied, with loans to Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg before finding form at Chelsea under Liam Rosenior in a deeper role. His adaptability is seen as a major strength, though coaches differ on his best position, with some seeing him as a defensive midfielder and others as a box-crashing number eight.
What are the immediate challenges?
The immediate test is the Premier League's pace. Menezes notes that in England, "the time to think and react to a dribble or a counter-attack is minimal." Santos must prove he can avoid the costly errors that occasionally marred his time at Chelsea.
His first chance comes at the MKM Stadium against Hull City. You can find the full schedule for United's season on our fixtures page. A strong start could cement his place in a midfield that requires reliability and forward thinking from its base.
