🚨🔴 Andrey Santos Wasn’t Signed to Watch From the Bench — Manchester United Need to Give Him a Chance
Manchester United’s midfield selection is already becoming one of the biggest talking points of Michael Carrick’s season.
With Kobbie Mainoo, Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba all competing for opportunities, Carrick has plenty of quality at his disposal.
But there is one argument that deserves serious consideration:
Andrey Santos was not signed to spend his time watching from the bench.
🧩 United Still Need a Natural Defensive Midfielder
One of the biggest questions surrounding United’s midfield is the lack of a player whose primary responsibility is to protect the defence and win the ball back.
Mainoo is capable of playing deeper, but his strengths also include carrying the ball, progressing possession and controlling the tempo.
Tielemans is similarly more naturally suited to a central midfield role, where his passing, creativity and ability to dictate play can be utilised.
Santos, meanwhile, offers a different profile.
The Brazilian can potentially provide the defensive intensity, physical presence and ball-winning ability required from a proper No. 6.
That could be particularly important when United face teams that attack with pace and physicality through the middle.
🇧🇷 Why Santos Deserves a Run
United invested heavily in Santos because they clearly saw something in him.
That investment should come with expectations—but also an opportunity.
It would be unfair to expect Santos to immediately dominate every match, especially while adapting to the demands of English football.
Young players need consistent opportunities to understand their teammates, develop chemistry and learn from their mistakes.
Giving him five or ten minutes at the end of matches isn’t necessarily enough.
If Carrick genuinely believes Santos can become an important player for the club, perhaps the midfielder needs a proper run in the starting XI.
Give him several matches.
Let him establish himself.
Then judge what he can actually bring to the team.
🔥 Santos Could Give Bruno More Freedom
There could also be a significant tactical benefit.
If Santos can reliably protect the defence and cover the midfield, Bruno Fernandes could potentially be given greater freedom to concentrate on creating chances and influencing the final third.
Instead of asking Bruno to constantly drop deep and contribute heavily to defensive duties, a specialist defensive midfielder could provide the security behind him.
That could make United more balanced.
A midfield combination featuring Santos behind Mainoo or Tielemans, with Bruno operating further forward, could give Carrick a different tactical option.
Of course, that doesn’t mean Santos automatically deserves his place regardless of performance.
Football doesn’t work that way.
But he deserves a genuine opportunity to prove whether he can fulfil that role.
⚠️ Baleba’s Return Makes the Situation Even More Interesting
Carlos Baleba’s eventual return will make Carrick’s midfield decisions even more complicated.
Baleba was brought in to add physicality, defensive strength and energy to the middle of the pitch.
That means Santos cannot assume anything is guaranteed.
However, competition should encourage players to improve—not prevent them from getting opportunities.
United now have several midfielders with different qualities. Carrick’s challenge is to find combinations that complement one another rather than simply choosing players based on reputation or transfer fee.
🔴 Give Santos the Opportunity
Ultimately, the debate shouldn’t be about whether Santos must start every match.
It should be about whether Manchester United are giving him enough opportunities to show why they signed him.
If the team needs a genuine defensive presence in midfield, Santos should be one of the players considered seriously for that role.
Let him play alongside the senior players.
Let him make mistakes.
Let him learn.
And then let his performances decide whether he deserves to remain in the starting XI.
Manchester United didn’t spend heavily on Andrey Santos just to admire his potential from the bench.
Now it is time to find out what he can actually offer. 🇧🇷🔴
What do you think, United fans?
Should Andrey Santos start the next Manchester United game, or should Carrick continue with Mainoo and Tielemans?
🔥 Start Santos
💯 Stick with Mainoo & Tielemans
🧩 Change the system and accommodate Santos
Let us know your thoughts. 👇🏽🔴
#ManchesterUnited #MUFC #GGMU #AndreySantos #KobbieMainoo #YouriTielemans #CarlosBaleba #RedDevils