Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos celebrate for Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez and Andrey Santos celebrate(Image: Visionhaus)
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Granted, it's early days at the time of writing, but so far it has not been the ideal start to life at Manchester United for Andrey Santos.
The 22-year-old midfielder has made just one Premier League start for United since moving to Old Trafford for a £50million package over the summer transfer window. Chelsea received £48m up front and may be handed a further £2m in potential add-ons, while also inserting a 10% sell-on clause in the Brazil international's contract.
Santos sought a move away from Stamford Bridge with the midfielder of the opinion that Moises Caicedo, who had not long before been handed fresh terms on a long-term contract in SW6, was blocking his pathway. After talks with United, Santos quickly switched London for Manchester in a move that raised plenty of eyebrows.
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The Brazilian had hardly set the world alight during his short time at Chelsea but United had seen enough to deem he was worth a hefty chunk of cash in £50m. Plenty of Blues supporters seemed largely fine with Santos leaving given the money paid to the west London club, but that was on the condition that another midfielder was brought in.
Despite Chelsea's late efforts to bring Lamine Camara to the club, the Blues were left disappointed and in turn, that has left Xabi Alonso short.
Either way, there is a sense of cruel irony in Santos leaving Chelsea for more regular first-team minutes but finding himself worse off than this point last season. After seven matches (in all competitions) last term, Santos had 59 more minutes on the pitch.
Andrey Santos
Andrey Santos has started just one Premier League game since signing for Manchester United(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United)
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Under Michael Carrick, Santos has been an unused substitute in two matches - including the most recent game where United salvaged a point with a late goal away at Fulham. The form of Kobbie Mainoo has seen the United academy graduate re-establish himself as one of the first names on Carrick's teamsheet, and alongside him, the experience of Youri Tielemans has thus far been preferred to Santos.
We're still very early on in Santos' United career but it's a feeling of 'the grass isn't always greener' so far. Ironically, though, Chelsea could have done with the Brazilian in their squad over the first chunk of the campaign.
Alonso has been light of midfield options in the first seven games of the season, with Caicedo's persistent calf issue playing a big part in that. Jordan Henderson is now fit and made his debut for the club in Friday evening's 3-0 defeat at Brentford, in what is an enormous boost for Alonso and Chelsea.
Once the international break is over, Alonso will be hoping he has a full contingent of midfield players to choose from for the Premier League clash with Bournemouth on October 10.