The Red Devils have pulled off a shrewd coup by signing Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos for £48 million from Chelsea, the first major transfer under new manager Michael Carrick's watch. This move is being seen as a statement of intent, with Santos' arrival complementing academy product Kobbie Mainoo in midfield and providing much-needed balance to United's engine room. It's a bold move that sees United splash the cash, but one that could pay dividends in the long run.
Santos, 22, spent most of his time at Chelsea warming the bench, but he's not just any backup player – he's a talented young midfielder with a well-rounded game. He boasts defensive awareness and a combative streak that will bring a new dynamic to United's midfield. And what about pairing him with Mainoo? That could be the perfect blend of youth and experience, with Santos bringing his passing range and Mainoo's tenacity.
One area where Santos truly excels is in distribution – he's got a pass completion rate that would make any manager proud. Last season, among Premier League midfielders who played at least 900 minutes, only three had a better forward pass completion rate than Santos' 80%. And when it comes to passes into the final third? He ranks sixth in the league with an impressive 82.2% success rate.
But what really sets Santos apart is his ability to pick out a pass from deep positions – he averages 8.1 per 90 minutes last season, putting him among the top midfielders in the division. This echoes Casemiro's less-recognised talent for initiating attacks from midfield, suggesting Santos could be the perfect replacement in this role. And when it comes to passing under pressure? He's got an impressive 86.5% completion rate – that's reliability personified.