Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has reportedly confirmed that Andrey Santos will start against Sabah today as the Red Devils prepare to make their long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League at Old Trafford.
The decision represents a major opportunity for the Brazilian midfielder to establish himself as an important figure in Carrick’s plans after making his move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window.
Santos has been one of the most closely watched new arrivals at Old Trafford since completing his move from Chelsea, with supporters eager to see exactly how Carrick intends to use the talented midfielder. The 22-year-old has already demonstrated that he possesses the technical quality, physical strength and tactical intelligence required to operate at the highest level, but regular first-team football is now the next important step in his development at Manchester United.
Carrick’s decision to hand Santos a starting role against Sabah is therefore significant. The Manchester United manager has been carefully managing his midfield options since the beginning of the campaign, with the club bringing in several players to strengthen an area that required considerable improvement. Santos is competing with players such as Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo for midfield positions, while Carlos Baleba is still working his way towards full fitness.
The opportunity against Sabah could allow Santos to show Carrick that he deserves a much bigger role in the team going forward. United have already seen flashes of his quality since his arrival, and his competitive debut earlier in the season demonstrated that he is capable of handling the demands of English football. He also started United’s pre-season meeting with Wrexham, where he played the first half before Carrick changed the entire team at the interval.
What makes today’s decision even more interesting is the timing. Manchester United are returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2023, and Carrick knows that the opening fixture provides an important opportunity to build confidence in European competition. United will welcome Azerbaijani champions Sabah to Old Trafford, with the visitors making their debut in the Champions League proper.
Carrick has made it clear that Manchester United are not returning to the Champions League simply to participate. The manager has spoken about the importance of making the most of the competition and attempting to go as far as possible. That makes his decision to trust Santos with a starting position particularly interesting because the midfielder will be expected to contribute immediately in a match where United will be under pressure to produce a convincing performance.
Santos is expected to bring energy and physicality into the middle of the pitch while also giving United another player capable of progressing possession. One of the reasons Manchester United invested heavily in midfield during the summer was to provide Carrick with greater flexibility, and Santos gives the manager another option who can contribute both defensively and offensively.
The Brazilian midfielder’s ability to win duels could be particularly important. United have struggled at times to control matches when opponents have been aggressive in midfield, and Santos has the physical profile to compete in those situations. His willingness to press, recover possession and carry the ball forward could also give United greater balance.
Carrick will be hoping that Santos can develop a strong partnership with whichever midfielder is selected alongside him. The manager has already shown that he is willing to make changes depending on the opposition, and today’s Champions League fixture could provide another opportunity to test different combinations.
The decision also comes at a time when Manchester United are dealing with several fitness concerns. Carlos Baleba, Matthijs de Ligt and Amad Diallo are among the players who have been unavailable, while Luke Shaw’s fitness has also required monitoring. Carrick admitted ahead of the match that the schedule is not ideal, particularly with Manchester City visiting Old Trafford on Sunday.
That makes squad rotation extremely important. United have to balance the desire to start the Champions League campaign strongly with the reality that they face one of their biggest matches of the Premier League season just a few days later. Carrick therefore needs players capable of delivering strong performances without leaving the team physically exhausted.
For Santos, however, the situation represents an enormous opportunity. A strong performance against Sabah could change his position within Carrick’s squad. Instead of being viewed simply as a promising new signing competing for minutes, he could begin to establish himself as one of the manager’s preferred midfield options.
The Brazilian will also know that competition for places at Manchester United is intense. Tielemans has already arrived with considerable experience, while Mainoo remains an important part of the club’s plans. Baleba is another major midfield signing who is expected to become influential once he is fully fit. Santos therefore needs to take advantage of every opportunity that comes his way.
His previous performances have already given Carrick reasons to trust him. Santos made his Manchester United debut against Wrexham during pre-season after joining from Chelsea, and he showed encouraging signs despite United eventually losing the game 1-0. Reports from that match highlighted his passing range and ability to compete physically in midfield.
The midfielder subsequently made his competitive debut against Hull City, when Carrick selected him alongside Tielemans in midfield. That was another indication that the manager sees Santos as more than simply a squad player.
Now, with the Champions League arriving at Old Trafford, Carrick appears ready to give him another major opportunity.
For Manchester United supporters, there will be considerable excitement surrounding Santos’ performance. The club spent significant money rebuilding its midfield during the summer, and fans want to see whether those additions can finally provide the stability and control that have been missing from the team.
Santos could become a particularly important part of that rebuilding process. At just 22, he has plenty of room for development, but he has already gained valuable experience playing in competitive environments. Carrick’s own experience as a midfielder could also prove beneficial to the Brazilian as he attempts to adapt to the demands of playing for Manchester United.
The manager understands what is required from a modern midfielder, and his decision to start Santos today suggests that he believes the youngster is ready to take responsibility on a major European night.
There will inevitably be pressure. Playing at Old Trafford in the Champions League carries expectations regardless of the opponent, and Manchester United supporters will demand an energetic and convincing performance. Santos will therefore have to show composure from the opening whistle and avoid allowing the occasion to overwhelm him.
The match could also provide an indication of how Carrick intends to use him throughout the season. If Santos performs well, the manager may be encouraged to give him more starts in Premier League and Champions League matches. If he struggles, Carrick could decide that the midfielder still needs more time before becoming a regular starter.
But the message from the manager is clear: Santos has earned another opportunity.
United’s return to Europe’s elite competition is one of the biggest storylines surrounding the club this season, and Carrick will want his team to make a statement from the beginning. Starting Santos shows that the manager is willing to trust his new signing when the stakes are high.
For Santos, this is the kind of match he will have dreamed about since arriving at Old Trafford. A Champions League night under the lights, in front of Manchester United supporters, gives him the perfect stage to announce himself properly.
The Brazilian now has the opportunity to turn Carrick’s faith into a memorable performance.
If he can dominate midfield, win his individual battles, move the ball effectively and contribute to United’s attacking play, Santos could leave the pitch with more than just a Champions League appearance to his name. He could leave Old Trafford having taken a major step towards becoming a regular member of Carrick’s starting XI.
And with Manchester United entering a demanding period of the season, that could prove extremely important.
Carrick has already spoken about the strength of his squad and the need to use the players available to him effectively. The decision to start Santos suggests the manager believes the midfielder can play an important role in that process.
Now, the responsibility is with Santos.
Manchester United supporters will be watching closely when the Champions League anthem plays at Old Trafford today, and many will have their eyes on the young Brazilian midfielder. This is his opportunity to demonstrate that he belongs at Manchester United, that he can handle European football and, most importantly, that Carrick can trust him when it matters.
If Santos delivers, today’s decision could mark the beginning of something much bigger for the Manchester United midfielder.