Bolstering the engine room topped Old Trafford’s agenda for summer 2026.
With Casemiro leaving, and Manuel Ugarte having failed to kick on at M16 across two seasons, the 20-time English champions had to rethink their midfield.
Fortunately, by transfer deadline day, Manchester United had pulled off the midfield overhaul they set out to achieve.
Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos duly signed, joining Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes among Carrick’s options and giving the Red Devils, on paper, one of the strongest engine rooms in the league.
Tielemans has quickly established himself as a key cog in Michael Carrick’s midfield, and he and Mainoo are forming a formidable partnership at the centre of the park.
Santos, meanwhile, impressed in midfield during pre-season and turned in a decent performance against Hull City.
However, he has had to settle for a bench role in recent games, raising doubts about whether he will ever nail down a key role.
Andrey Santos backed for a breakout season
Carrick already seems to have hinted that the Brazilian will still play a key role. While fans wait to see that materialise, Matheus Cunha has given United supporters reason to look forward to what the ex-Chelsea man can offer.
“Andrey Santos will be a breakout star this season. Fact — this guy is a very good player,” Cunha said in an interview with the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel.
“This is, I feel, good for him. We don’t need to put so much pressure on him to develop, but I know him from the national team, and I know all the skills he has. He’s an amazing guy, so lovely, and yeah, I think that will be a fact. He will surprise many eyes this year.”
Santos should seize his moment
Having flashed his brilliance in pre-season, Santos must now take his chances and carve out a key role in Carrick’s line-up.
Thanks to his dynamic blend of high-energy ball-winning, elite press-resistance and exceptional progressive passing, he could prove invaluable for this United side.
Featured image by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
