Paul Ince has said the 'jury's still out' on Andrey Santos and he is 'baffled' by Manchester United's big-money transfer move for the young midfielder. United prioritised overhauling their misfiring attack last year, bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a combined fee of around £200million.
United's midfield overhaul
This summer, the Red Devils have focused their attentions on bolstering their midfield options, with Casemiro's recent departure only intensifying the club's need for reinforcements in this area. United had expressed a strong interest in Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, but the former would join bitter rivals Manchester City instead, before the latter pair signed for Tottenham.
The Old Trafford giants subsequently turned their attentions to Chelsea's Santos, moving quickly with their pursuit to wrap up a deal worth in the region of £50million for the 22-year-old Brazil international. After backtracking on a proposed move for Santos' fellow countryman Ederson, United fixed their gaze on Youri Tielemans, prising the Belgian away from Aston Villa by triggering a £35m release clause in his contract.
Ince's verdict
'I think when you look at what Manchester United are trying to do, they obviously need to strengthen in that area,' ex-United and England midfielder Ince told Oddschecker. 'Whether [Manuel] Ugarte comes back, I don't know, but they've signed the lad Santos from Chelsea for £50m, which is a lot of money for someone like him. I think the jury's still out on that one.'
'So to spend £50m on a young central midfield player when you've got [Kobbie] Mainoo coming through the ranks, kind of baffled me a bit.' Ince praised Tielemans as 'a fantastic player' and noted United are still trying to do the Ederson deal from Atalanta. He believes Mainoo has 'a really good head on his shoulders' and can play the midfield role.
Mainoo and Rashford's futures
Ince is intrigued about how Michael Carrick sets up his midfield next season and hopes to see Mainoo thrive after a disappointing World Cup with England. He added: 'I like Tielemans, I think Tielemans is more of a [Bruno] Fernandes type of player. I like Ederson, I think Ederson was brilliant. And the fact that United are in the Champions League, they need to start building a stronger squad.'
On Mainoo's development, Ince noted: 'Towards the back end of the season, he started to tackle, win balls, set things up, get himself in the box, make things happen. And he looks a completely different player.'
Regarding Marcus Rashford's future, Ince said: 'I kind of feel for Rashford. I really do because I think he's a fantastic player.' He believes Carrick can get the best out of Rashford, urging the manager to put an arm around him. 'So, fingers crossed that's the case. But it, there's one thing for sure, he is a very, very talented player and if he's happy, he'll perform for you.'
Pre-season preparations
United began their busy pre-season schedule with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Wrexham in Helsinki earlier this month. The Red Devils roared back with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Rosenborg, and Carrick's men will face Atletico Madrid in Stockholm this weekend. Further friendlies against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and AC Milan follow before the new Premier League season begins away to newly promoted Hull City on August 22.
