Andrey Santos’ Development Under Michael Carrick Could Be Massive
Andrey Santos may not be everyone’s favorite Manchester United midfielder at the moment, but there is one thing that cannot be ignored: his baseline performances since arriving at the club have been solid.
The Brazilian midfielder is still adapting to the demands of English football, the intensity of the Premier League, and the expectations that come with playing for Manchester United. Naturally, there will be moments where he looks raw or makes mistakes, but his overall foundation has been encouraging.
And perhaps the most exciting part is that Santos is working under Michael Carrick.
Carrick has already shown that he understands how to develop midfielders and improve the finer details of their games. We have seen the impact he has had on Kobbie Mainoo, particularly in helping him become more consistent, composed and influential in midfield.
That experience could be extremely valuable for Santos.
Carrick can help Santos improve his positioning, decision-making, passing, defensive awareness and ability to control games. These are not changes that happen overnight, but with regular coaching and competitive minutes, the Brazilian has plenty of time to develop.
Santos doesn’t need to become the finished product immediately.
Manchester United need to give him the opportunity to learn, make mistakes and gradually become more complete.
If Carrick can continue to refine his game in the same way he has helped Mainoo develop, Santos could look like a completely different midfielder by the end of the season.
And that’s why judging him too early would be a mistake.
I won’t say too much right now. His growth by the end of the season will speak for itself. 🔴
What do you think — can Carrick turn Santos into a top-class Manchester United midfielder?