​Manchester United have yet to officially confirm Andrey Santos as their first summer signing, but the Brazilian midfielder appears to have already begun settling in. INEOS acted swiftly to secure the 22-year-old’s services, and the club’s co-owners reportedly felt positive about the deal, especially given Santos’ immense potential. It has long been clear that United are seeking a successor to Casemiro, and while Ederson’s name was floated as a possible fit by a former teammate, there is a sense within Brazil that the national team’s opinion differs. In discussions with coaches, Santos has been identified as an ideal replacement for the five-time Champions League winner, which bodes well for United as they plan their midfield overhaul.
After passing his medical, the former Vasco da Gama ace spent time at Carrington on Friday to formalize his United contract. He also met head coach Michael Carrick during pre-signing media duties as the club prepared for an official announcement. On social media, Djamel claimed that Santos was at the training ground at Carrington on Saturday. While he did not take part in the session, the report indicated he would begin training with the squad on Monday. The post suggested Santos was on site for photos and to meet several teammates who have already started pre-season preparations.
“Andrey Santos, who just joined Manchester United, was present at the training ground this morning, even though it hasn’t been made official yet. However, he didn’t take part in today’s session. He will start training with the team on Monday,” Djamel wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
With the Ederson deal not materializing despite some media speculation, Carrick will still be seeking at least two more additions to refresh the engine room. Manchester United have been linked with Manu Kone and Joao Gomes, while Alex Scott and Carlos Baleba are also on the club’s radar as potential targets to strengthen the midfield and broaden their options for the new season. The pursuit of multiple midfield options suggests United’s strategy is to build a competitive, versatile core capable of adapting to different systems and opponents.
As the club plots its next moves, Santos’ arrival could prove a crucial component of United’s plans, particularly if he can adapt quickly to the Premier League’s tempo and physical demands. The coming days should reveal more concrete steps, including any formal introductions and the official announcement that will confirm Santos’s move and outline the broader blueprint for United’s midfield evolution this summer.
Image credit: Eddie Keogh / Getty Images
Note: The information above is based on ongoing reports and social media activity from sources within football news circles. For the latest official updates, please refer to Manchester United’s communications channels.