Man Utd information: £85m switch twist emerges as Michael Carrick performs key function in enormous swoop
Manchester United are reshaping their midfield this summer under manager Michael Carrick’s watch with one surprise signing made and more on the way
Michael Carrick has made his first signing at Manchester United
Manchester United have kicked their summer transfer window into gear by making a first signing for Michael Carrick – and there’s more to come.
The new Red Devils manager witnessed Brazilian midfield lynchpin Casemiro depart at the end of last season and Uruguayan flop Manuel Ugarte, who it was hoped could be offloaded, has since picked up an injury during the World Cup, leaving the club’s midfield in desperate need of reinforcement. United had previously agreed a fee for Atalanta star Ederson, but the transfer is presently in jeopardy.
Now, Andrey Santos has become the new midfielder to arrive at Old Trafford. The young Brazil international has sealed a shock £50million switch from Premier League rivals Chelsea. United are also closing in on another surprise swoop, for Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, the ex-Leicester City man who helped Belgium reach the World Cup quarter-finals. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick is aiming to improve his Manchester United squad in the transfer window(Image: Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP via Getty Images)
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Michael Carrick role in transfer coup
Andrey Santos has revealed Carrick’s impact on his choice to join United, reports the Mirror.
The 22-year-old featured 43 times for Chelsea last term and the new £50m acquisition is eager to elevate his performance under former United midfielder Carrick.
“Everything about Manchester United is special; it is an incredible feeling to join a club that some of my biggest idols have represented,” Santos said to United’s club website.
Andrey Santos with Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
“As a midfielder, I am really excited to have the opportunity to learn from Michael Carrick, he is the perfect coach to help me take the next step in my career and push to achieve my dreams.
“Everybody told me about how ambitious the club is and the amazing environment that has been created here. I know just how strong the squad is and I cannot wait to fight together to compete for the biggest trophies.”
£35m twist impacts midfield overhaul
Youri Tielemans shone for Belgium at the World Cup(Image: Jane Gershovich/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
United are closing in on a deal for Villa star Youri Tielemans but their bid to land Ederson from Atalanta has stalled.
A deal for Ederson was struck earlier this summer, valued at £35million plus an additional £3.8m, before the midfielder was handed a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad.
He subsequently failed a medical when a knee problem came to light, forcing United to put the Ederson transfer on ice. Nevertheless, the move could be revisited should United manage to renegotiate his fee with Atalanta.
The club’s choice to pursue a shock swoop for Tielemans has created further doubt over whether Ederson will seal his switch to Old Trafford.
Youri Tielemans scored the winning goal in the 2021 FA Cup final(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Tielemans’ deal presently runs until 2028 but includes a £36m release clause, which United have activated.
The 29-year-old would inject a wealth of Premier League know-how into United’s midfield, having first graced English football with Leicester City in January 2019.
He famously scored a screamer against Chelsea to clinch the FA Cup for the Foxes in a 1-0 triumph in 2021.
He was instrumental in the Villa squad that clinched fourth place in the league and triumphed in the Europa League last season, again scoring a wonder goal in a final in the 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg.
