Why did Manchester United pay Chelsea £48m for Andrey Santos?

<p>Michael Carrick’s first signing is a surprise, but the Brazil midfielder will help the team deal with Casemiro’s exit</p><p>By <a href="https://theanalyst.com/">Opta Analyst</a></p><p>Andrey Santos moving from Chelsea to Manchester United was not on our summer transfer window bingo card, but the Brazilian has become <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/05/andrey-santos-manchester-united-chelsea-transfer">Michael Carrick’s first signing</a>. United desperately needed reinforcements in midfield, especially after Casemiro’s departure and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/28/manchester-united-knee-ligament-manuel-ugarte-uruguay-world-cup">Manuel Ugarte’s long-term injury</a>, so deals for Santos and Youri Tielemans will be welcomed by fans.</p><p>Tielemans looks like particularly good business – he captains Belgium, has made 244 appearances in the Premier League and was available for £35m – but Santos is a more curious choice. He was often a backup player for Chelsea last season as they finished seven places and 19 points behind United; he is not the finished article, and played for one of United’s rivals. Since Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago, United had only signed four players from their “big six” rivals: Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Mason Mount (all Chelsea) and Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal).</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/16/andrey-santos-manchester-united-chelsea-michael-carrick-brazil-midfielder-casemiro">Continue reading...</a>