- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,217,930
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
A Brazilian view on Andrey Santos at Man United: Why 'nobody is quite sure' about new midfielder signing originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Manchester United have completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, adding one of Brazil's brightest young talents to Michael Carrick's squad.
The 22-year-old enhanced his reputation during an impressive spell in France before earning first-team opportunities at Chelsea, but he remains something of an unknown quantity to many United supporters.
To find out exactly what the Red Devils are getting, Sporting News Brazil's chief editor, Diogo Magri, offers some insight into Santos' strengths, areas for improvement and why there is still some uncertainty surrounding his long-term potential.
What did Man United pay for Andrey Santos?
United signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal reportedly worth an initial £48 million ($64 million), with a further £2m ($2.7m) payable in performance-related add-ons.
The Brazil international has signed a contract running until 2031, with the club holding the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.
Chelsea signed Santos from Vasco da Gama in January 2023 for a reported £18m ($24m). Following loan spells that boosted his reputation, the Blues have now made a sizeable profit on the midfielder.
A Brazilian view on Andrey Santos at Man United
Diogo Magri, chief editor of Sporting News Brazil
A few hours after watching Erling Haaland score the two goals that ended Brazil's dream of a sixth World Cup, Brazilian fans were already doing what has become a tradition over the past two decades: predicting the national team that could make the next World Cup. And in most of those imaginary line-ups, there is one constant in midfield: Andrey Santos.
It's no exaggeration to say that his move to Manchester United is as intriguing for Red Devils supporters as it is for Brazilians. That's because nobody is quite sure which version of Andrey Santos they are getting.
Those who still see him as the future of Brazil's midfield do so based on memories of the outstanding youngster at Vasco: captain of Brazil's youth teams, a box-to-box midfielder who wore the No. 5 shirt but regularly burst into the box to score. Those expectations are no longer based on his recent form. After all, in three years in Europe, his only truly decent season came away from the spotlight in Ligue 1. Even when he finally earned some games at Chelsea, things ended badly — and his absence from Brazil's World Cup squad was deserved.
Will Andrey become one of Michael Carrick's first names on the teamsheet, or simply figure in the shadows of Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo and the rest? Can he develop into the complete midfielder Brazil have been waiting for — combining intensity and defensive work off the ball with creativity and quality in possession — and eventually fill the void left by Casemiro? Those are questions that matter just as much in Manchester as they do in Brazil.
There is a sense that this move represents a make-or-break moment in his career. He has the age, the experience of European football and the environment to fulfil the expectations that have followed him for years. But doubts remain, and there is still no certainty that he will.
MORE:Why Man United moved quickly to strike surprise Youri Tielemans deal
Will Andrey Santos play for Man United vs. Wrexham?
Andrey Santos has already joined up with his new teammates in training following the completion of his transfer, putting him in contention to feature against Wrexham in an exhibition game in Helsinki on July 18.
Carrick could hand the Brazilian midfielder his unofficial United debut during the preseason friendly. United have already confirmed he is in the travelling squad.
Continue reading...
