Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince (Picture: Sky Sports)
Paul Ince has questioned Manchester United’s signing of Andrey Santos, insisting he was ‘baffled’ to see the midfielder join from Chelsea.
Santos completed a £48m move to Old Trafford last month after emerging as a midfield target for United boss Michael Carrick.
Carrick instructed Manchester United to sign at least two midfielders this summer after Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s serious injury.
Ince is excited about Youri Tielemans’ arrival from Aston Villa but says he was left ‘baffled’ by the signing of Santos, who made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season.
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‘I think when you look at what Manchester United are trying to do, they obviously need to strengthen in that area,’ Ince told Oddschecker.
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‘They’ve signed the lad Santos from Chelsea for almost £50m, which is a lot of money for someone like him. I think the jury’s still out on that one.
‘To spend that much on a young central midfield player when you’ve got someone like Kobbie Mainoo coming through the ranks baffled me a bit.
Manchester United Unveil New Signing Andrey Santos
Manchester United summer signing Andrey Santos (Picture: Getty)
‘Obviously Tielemans I think is a fantastic player. He’s more of a [Bruno] Fernandes type of player, but a very good player.
‘The midfield needed to be strengthened but I think Mainoo can definitely play that role. He’s got a really good head on his shoulders. He’s young, he’s got legs, he can keep hold of the ball.
‘Whenever I watch him he does things easily and he looked like a completely different player towards the back-end of last season.
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Old Trafford boss Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)
‘If he can repeat that form this season it would be great for Manchester United. But they’ve got plenty of options in there now so it will be interesting to see which way Michael Carrick goes.’
Ince has also urged Manchester United to keep Marcus Rashford at the club after Barcelona opted not to sign him on a permanent deal.
United are currently trying to get Rashford off the books but Ince believes Carrick can ‘get the best out’ of the England winger.
FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports
Marcus Rashford hoped to stay at Barcelona (Picture: Getty)
‘I feel for Rashford, I really do, because I think he’s a fantastic player. He can play off the left and he can play off the right,’ Ince added.
‘I’m not sure if many people watched him last year playing for Barcelona but he was scoring goals, he was enjoying himself, and he looked a completely different player.
‘Then when you think Barcelona are going to sign him they get Anthony Gordon and it kills Rashford. You saw in the World Cup the magic he can bring, he’s got that talent.
[FILE - Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk looks on during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in London on Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland, File)
FILE - Chelsea's Mykhailo Mudryk looks on during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in London on Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland, File)](https://metro.co.uk/2026/08/04/chelsea-make-mykhailo-mudryk-transfer-decision-agree-new-31m-deal-29292858/)
‘I just think Michael Carrick can get the best out of him, I really, really do. I think if you just put your arm around Rashford then you’re going to see a very, very good player.
‘Fingers crossed that’s the case. But there’s one thing for sure, he is a very, very talented player and if he’s happy, he will perform for you.’
Carrick guided Manchester United to a third-place finish in the Premier League last season and Champions League qualification.
The Red Devils kick-start their 2026-27 Premier League campaign on August 22 against newly-promoted Hull City.
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GIRONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 01: Arsenal FC Head Coach Mikel Arteta looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Girona FC and Arsenal FC at Montilivi Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)