Nicky Butt Tells Man Utd To Sign PL Star Over Andrey Santos

Manchester United are overhauling their midfield this summer after losing Casemiro at the end of the season. The Brazilian looks set to move to Inter Miami, although it has not been officially announced yet. 

Despite some concern over the deal recently, it is still widely expected that Atalanta's Éderson will be the first midfielder through the door this summer, having agreed the move before a late call-up to the Brazil World Cup squad. 

With Carlo Ancelotti's side now out of the competition - after suffering defeat against Norway - Éderson will complete his medical and likely officially sign in the coming days. 

Chelsea's Andrey Santos looks set to follow Éderson to Old Trafford after United agreed a £48 million deal to sign the Brazilian. Having not been at the World Cup, Santos may be able to feature in Manchester United's first pre-season match against Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland, on July 18. 

Nicky Butt was a Manchester United midfielder during the height of Sir Alex Ferguson's reign at Old Trafford. So, his opinion on central midfielders, like Michael Carrick's, is at least one to listen to. 

"I’ve seen him [Andrey Santos] play a few times but nothing stands out that makes you go: 'wow, he’s got great ability on the ball or he’s a powerhouse'," Butt told the Metro. "It’s come totally out of the blue. It’s either genius by the recruitment team and they’re saying, ‘this lad is going to be the next big thing, we’ll pay the £50m quick and throw him straight in the deep end.'" 

Manchester United acted quickly to secure Santos' signing. Unlike the Mateus Fernandes deal, United's interest was made public, and the deal was quickly wrapped up, with just a medical needed before official confirmation could arrive. 

"But by virtue of him only starting 13 games for Chelsea last year, who finished 10th, it doesn’t scream out a good signing to me," Butt continued. "We need players in midfield that make us a lot better. I really don’t like having a go at young players or new signings before they go and prove themselves, but it’s one where they’re buying potential over someone that’s done it." 

United had been linked with more experienced players like Sandro Tonali and Aurélien Tchouaméni, but both chose other paths. Tonali made the move to Tottenham Hotspur - joining Fernandes - in a deal which could be worth £100 million, while Tchouaméni is set to sign a new contract with Real Madrid. 

Butt continued to say: "He [Santos] could come and blow us away and everyone’s saying, ‘what a signing, he could be the best signing of the last five-ten years at Man United’. But then again he could just end up being another Manuel Ugarte that doesn’t perform at the top level.’" 

Manuel Ugarte has had a poor two years at Old Trafford and looked destined to be moved on this summer, having not been chosen for the final match of the season despite Casemiro's absence. Mason Mount was given the nod to play alongside Kobbie Mainoo and impressed for a one-two before Bryan Mbeumo's goal. 

Ugarte will miss the majority of the 2026/27 campaign after suffering an ACL injury on World Cup duty for Uruguay, who were eliminated in the group stage of the competition. 

Reports indicate that United will sign another midfielder once the deals for Éderson and Santos have been finalised, but Nicky Butt would prefer not to sign the Chelsea midfielder at all. Instead mentioning Fulham's Sander Berge. 

"I can’t see how they can go and buy another midfielder with the finances," Butt said.  "They’ve got to get a right-back, they’ve got to get a centre-back or two, they’ve got to get a centre-forward. 

"If they don’t do that then the squad is nowhere near ready to challenge for the top four again.

"Sander Berge has been brilliant for Norway. There’s always someone at a World Cup that stands out. He’s one of the ones that has really stood out and makes you go, 'wow, what a player he is.'" 

Berge has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for several years, but he has so far evaded a transfer. Manchester United could reignite their interest in the Norway international this summer, although a move likely will not be cheap, given how expensive midfielders have been on the whole this summer. 

"But some people are different players for their country, he didn’t stand out that much for me at Fulham. 

"In the last few games, with his athleticism and his size he’s a powerhouse, a really good player.

"But I just don’t see Man United buying another midfielder now. They can’t unless they’ve got more money than we think."