Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has turned his attention to Manchester United summer signing Andrey Santos after the Red Devils’ 3-2 defeat to Brighton.
Andrey Santos was the first major signing of the Michael Carrick era at Old Trafford and the first acquisition in Ineos’ Manchester United midfield rebuild in the summer.
The 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder was signed from Chelsea in a deal worth £50m in July and featured heavily in the pre-season summer tour under Michael Carrick.
However, Santos has been limited in his United first-team opportunities in the 2026-27 campaign after starting only once in four Premier League matches.
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Micah Richards namechecks Youri Tielemans during his points around Andrey Santos’ lack of playing time at Man Utd
Andrey Santos has made five appearances across all competitions for Manchester United in the current season and has neither scored nor assisted so far. The Brazil international was handed a rare start on Wednesday evening in United’s third-round Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.
The former Chelsea star played alongside fellow summer signing Youri Tielemans in the midfield pivot under United manager Michael Carrick before he was subbed off in the 66th minute for Kobbie Mainoo.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards admitted that his sympathy extends to Santos not hitting the “ground running” as some people had expected him to do so.
“A lot of players playing within themselves,” he said.
“Santos, I feel a little bit sorry for, because he’s coming to the squad, he got brought in for 50 million pounds, and everyone expected him to hit the ground running. It’s not that at the moment.”
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Youri Tielemans, who arrived at Old Trafford from Aston Villa in July, wore the United captain’s armband for the start of the Red Devils’ defeat on Wednesday. Richards rated the midfield skills of the 29-year-old Belgian midfielder, but he equally highlighted the problems with his midfield pairing alongside Santos.
“Tielemans is a very good player, but it’s not the most mobile team,” he explained.
“So, when you actually look at them tactically, when they try to get the ball back, they’re finding it very difficult. At times in the game, they were pressing really high.
“As soon as they got beyond the first press [of] Brighton, it was all a bit unorganised, no one really knowing what they needed to do. And again, it’s just confidence.”
Brighton stunned United with their 3-2 comeback win at Old Trafford and the Red Devils crashed out of the Carabao Cup in the third round of the competition. The Red Devils will now return to Premier League action on Sunday and will face Premier League side Fulham at Craven Cottage ahead of the October international break.