Man Utd spent £50m on Andrey Santos in the summer, but the signing of the midfielder has already been questioned by some.
Andrey Santos (middle) was signed from Chelsea.(Image: 2026 Marc Atkins)
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“I have three idols in my life. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and Julia Roberts. These are my idols," said Pep Guardiola during a memorable press conference three years ago.
“Years ago, Julia Roberts came to Manchester - it was not in the 90s when Sir Alex [Ferguson] was winning titles and titles. She came in the period where we were better than United, but she didn't come to see us."
Guardiola made everyone laugh. He was being typically sarcastic, but it hinted at an underlying frustration that no matter how many trophies he won with City, he would have got more attention doing so at Manchester United.
Sir Alex Ferguson famously once said City could not be "top dogs" in his lifetime. That quote has aged like milk, with City becoming one of England's most successful clubs as United have failed to arrest their decline, but for now, they are still the smaller of the two sides.
That could change in 30 years' time. There are more blue shirts seen across Manchester than ever before, with kids now choosing City over United, but there is no sign of United being usurped in size any time soon.
City fans could not give a hoot about being smaller in stature, and in some ways, it can be an advantage. United's global fanbase is hugely important commercially, and the club's size still gives pulling power with new signings, but there is also greater media scrutiny.
United are the most written about club in England. There is such a thirst for United news that stories about an alleged lack of toilet rolls at the venue where the academy and women's team play were recently published.
The intense media interest means expectations around United's players are greater. New signings are expected to hit the ground running, with a morbid fascination around whether the club have signed another dud.
That's why there have already been questions about the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50million. Santos has been given just 175 minutes since his arrival, which is enough for a hint of scrutiny at United.
Andrey Santos signs for Manchester United
Andrey Santos signing for United.(Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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On the other hand, not much has been said about City's new midfield recruit Ayyoub Bouaddi, who arrived in a £86m deal from Lille in the same window. Bouaddi has made two starts, like Santos, but has played 187 minutes in total, which is 12 more minutes.
United fans have rallied against murmurs questioning the Santos signing by pointing to Bouaddi. They opine: Why aren't City held to the same level of scrutiny? That it is the cost of being a bigger club, and there is ultimately less margin for error when your transfer spend is lower.
City spent a league-high £458m during the summer, while United spent £150m, meaning United spent a third of their transfer budget to sign Santos from Chelsea, and City committed 18 per cent of their budget on Bouaddi.
Bouaddi, 18, was not the high-profile midfield signing at the Etihad this summer, despite his price tag. City staff have already talked about slowly easing him in, recognising he is not ready to have a profound impact this season, but expectations would be higher if he'd signed for United.
That is why more has been expected from Santos over the first few weeks of the season, not to mention that at 22, he is older than Bouaddi, he already has Premier League experience and was signed for a larger share of United's transfer budget in comparison over the summer.
Santos looked sharp in pre-season, impressing in a string of friendlies, and he deservedly started on the opening day of the season against Hull before losing his place against Ipswich.
Santos in action against Hull.
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Carrick picked Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes in midfield for that 5-2 win, a combination he stuck by against Everton, Sabah, Manchester City and Fulham, only making a tweak against Brighton in the Carabao Cup when Santos and Mason Mount came into the team.
Santos disappointed against Brighton, but he certainly was not the only one to underperform. And while it's far too early for critics to suggest he will not be a success, he would have hoped to have been involved more, especially after being lavished with praise by Carrick.
When the United boss spoke during a pre-season sit-down just outside Dublin, he made ears prick up by saying: "Andrey, for such a young man to come in the way he's come in, his character, his personality is a dream.
"Literally, he's a dream. He's so positive, so mature, so switched on; he wants to learn. He comes in straight away and he's trying to help other players and talk in games and communicate in games.
"He has that personality where he's got a real substance to him, and delighted to have him, delighted to have him when he came in."
United have looked lethargic in some matches this season, and fingers have been pointed at Tielemans, who is not known for running power, leading more fans to question why Santos has not played more given his skillset.
Another argument in defence of Santos is that United are allowed to sign squad players. Not every arrival needs to become an immediate starter - they can strengthen the squad and contribute when called upon.
Santos and Cunha in the Carrington gym.
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That is true, but again, when United spent just £150m in the transfer market, it's inadvisable to spend such a large chunk of that budget on a squad player, as Paul Scholes explained during a recent podcast appearance.
“Santos, Baleba, they’ve brought players in that physically they may be better. Santos played 11 games for Chelsea, they paid £50million for him. But he’s not getting into the team, now Baleba might make a bit of difference," he said.
“But again, if you’re recruiting at the start of the season for Manchester United, it should be for players that you think you can go and win the league with. I think they’re a million miles away.”
United remain confident Santos will be a success. He has naturally grown close to the South American contingent in the group, settling in well after his move from London, but more will be expected on the pitch after the break.
Such a high level of expectation is part and parcel of playing for the biggest club in England. Not everyone can attract Julia Roberts.