A month after losing Casemiro to a contract expiry and with Manuel Ugarte facing what he called “the most serious injury a footballer can face”, Manchester United have now turned their attention to Chelsea’s Andrey Santos — the latest name on an ever-lengthening list of midfield targets that keeps shrinking before they can act.
United went into the summer with Kobbie Mainoo as their only recognised central midfielder, planning to sell Ugarte after Casemiro’s departure on 30 June. But Ugarte sustained knee ligament damage on World Cup duty for Uruguay against Spain, and while the club are yet to confirm the extent, it is thought to be cruciate damage that would sideline him for the rest of 2026 and kill any chance of a sale.
“Manchester United target Chelsea's Andrey Santos after missing out on Anderson and Fernandes amid worsening midfield crisis.”
In the transfer market, United have encountered more issues. On 25 June, Manchester City struck a club-record £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson — United’s number one target. Then, on 2 July, Tottenham paid a club-record £85m for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, a player United had pushed hard to sign. United would have been willing to pay £85m including add-ons, but felt if they offered that sum, Spurs would immediately go to £90m. It is the kind of situation they are keen to avoid.
They have agreed a £35m deal with Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson, but his late call-up to the Brazil squad means his medical will not happen until Carlo Ancelotti’s side are out of the World Cup. He will then get a minimum of three weeks off. Unless the position changes, the only midfielder among boss Michael Carrick’s senior group when they return for testing and pre-season training on 9 July will be Mason Mount, who is viewed as more of an offensive player.
Of the eight first-team midfielders listed on United’s website, the other options are Toby Collyer — wanted by Hull — and Dan Gore, who spent last season on loan at relegated Rotherham. On 18 July, the day before the World Cup final, United play their first friendly, against Wrexham in Helsinki. How Carrick will field a midfield with only one senior option, and whether Santos — who cost Chelsea £18m in 2023 — could be the answer, remains unclear.