What Manchester United can expect from Andrey Santos after €58m deal

Manchester United have reached a full agreement with Chelsea for Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, with the €58 million (£50m) deal set to be completed in the coming days. The 23-year-old will join compatriot Ederson at Old Trafford this summer as Michael Carrick’s side moves quickly to reinforce a depleted midfield after a serious knee injury to Manuel Ugarte. Santos, who was controversially left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad, arrives with an Estimated Transfer Value of €49.3m – meaning United have paid slightly above market rate. Yet in the context of this summer’s inflated market – where Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes each cost more individually – the fee looks like a bargain. So what exactly are United getting? Strengths Santos is a versatile midfielder capable of operating in multiple roles. At Strasbourg last season, he played as a box-to-box No. 8, scoring 10 goals in 32 Ligue 1 appearances – exactly the kind of attacking output United need after Casemiro’s departure. At Chelsea, he was used deeper as a defensive midfielder, freeing Moisés Caicedo to push forward. His short-range passing is crisp and progressive, and he excels at breaking defensive lines in tight spaces. He also brings leadership – Santos captained Brazil’s youth teams regularly – though the language barrier may limit his vocal influence initially. Defensively, he is a strong ball-winner, a trait United desperately need. Weaknesses Santos rarely plays long passes in behind the opposition – that responsibility fell on Caicedo at Chelsea – and in that regard he resembles Kobbie Mainoo. Another similarity is his lack of pace: Santos is slow over distance and struggles to cover large spaces in transition. Pairing him with Mainoo could be problematic; Ederson is a far more suitable partner. His performances in Ligue 1 were notably better than in the Premier League, and the physicality and speed of English football does not play to his strengths. Verdict United needed at least two new central midfielders this summer; Ugarte’s injury means they now need three. With only Mainoo as a senior option, bringing in both Santos and Ederson for under €100m is smart business. A third addition is still required for Champions League depth, but Santos – already an excellent midfielder with room to grow – could prove one of United’s most underrated signings in years.