Andrey Santos has backed himself to be the man to replace Casemiro at Manchester United, following the Brazilian's departure at the end of last season. The 22-year-old, who joined from Chelsea for £50million, has impressed in pre-season and believes he can emulate the success of his fellow countryman.
Santos confident of filling Casemiro's boots
Speaking to the media for the first time as a United player, Santos said: "Casemiro for me, it's like a legend, you know. So now he's gone out. Now I'm here so I feel that I can do like Casemiro did in the last season and I'm here to do it."
Santos, who has six caps for Brazil, joined United alongside Youri Tielemans as part of an £85million midfield rebuild. He has started all four of United's pre-season friendlies, including a standout performance against PSG in Gothenburg.
Change in transfer strategy
The signing of Santos marks a shift in United's transfer policy, contrasting with the £70million spent on a 30-year-old Casemiro four years ago. Santos, eight years younger, is seen as a player with his best years ahead of him, and recruitment chiefs at Old Trafford were impressed by the data and scouting reports.
Santos expressed his desire to play as a deep-lying number six, a role that will be music to the ears of manager Michael Carrick. "My qualities, I like and prefer playing more deep like a number six. So I try help my teammates without the ball and with the ball I love breaking the lines," he said.
Delighted to join United
Despite struggling for opportunities at Chelsea, where Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez were preferred, Santos is delighted to have made the move. "I was so happy [when United showed their interest]," he said. "The moment when my agent called me, I told my wife, and she said, 'Yeah, we have to go.' And of course, Manchester United is so big, I'm so happy to be here, and I want to win every single game and every single trophy possible."
Santos added: "I know Chelsea is a big club as well, so I think thank you for everything Chelsea did for me in my period. But now Chelsea is gone, here is my home right now. And I want to be here for a long, long time and win so many trophies."
Ambitions for the season
United finished third in the Premier League last season and return to the Champions League this term. Santos has his sights set on silverware: "When I talk about Manchester United, we talk about winning," he said. "I think we have to work hard every single day to try to win every single trophy possible. And like as an individual, I have my goals and I hope that I can work with my teammates with my goals and hope to win some trophies."
