Manchester United are reportedly facing fresh questions over the future of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos, with claims that the 22-year-old has been banished from the first-team squad amid growing uncertainty surrounding his position at Old Trafford.
The alleged development would represent a major setback for a player who arrived at the club with high expectations and the ambition of becoming an important figure in Michael Carrick’s midfield.
Santos joined Manchester United from Chelsea in July 2026 in a deal reportedly worth £50 million, becoming one of the club’s significant midfield investments ahead of the new campaign. His arrival was expected to strengthen United’s options in the centre of the pitch, particularly following Casemiro’s departure and the injury problems affecting other midfielders.
However, the Brazilian has faced difficulties establishing himself as a regular starter. With competition for places intensifying and Manchester United experiencing a challenging start to the season, questions have emerged about whether Santos can convince Carrick that he deserves a permanent place in the starting eleven.
The suggestion that the midfielder has now been banished from the first-team squad would inevitably create further speculation about his relationship with the coaching staff. Nevertheless, there is currently no independently verified confirmation that Manchester United have excluded Santos from the first team, and the claim should not be treated as an established fact.
Santos’s situation has attracted attention because of the expectations surrounding his transfer. Manchester United invested heavily in the Brazilian after his performances for Chelsea and during his loan spell at Strasbourg demonstrated his potential as a dynamic central midfielder.
At Strasbourg, Santos developed a reputation for his energy, ability to recover possession and willingness to contribute in attacking areas. His performances convinced Manchester United that he could become an important part of their rebuilding project, providing physical strength, tactical flexibility and progressive passing from midfield.
His arrival was therefore viewed as an opportunity to address one of United’s longstanding weaknesses. The club needed greater balance in the centre of the pitch, and Santos was expected to compete for a starting position while helping the team become more effective both defensively and in possession.
Unfortunately, moving to a club as demanding as Manchester United can bring immediate pressure. New signings are often expected to adapt quickly, particularly when they arrive for substantial transfer fees. Every mistake can attract criticism, while a series of disappointing team performances can make it difficult for newcomers to establish themselves.
Santos has experienced some of those challenges during the opening months of the campaign. His limited Premier League opportunities have raised questions about his place in Carrick’s plans, although he has also received chances to demonstrate his abilities in important matches.
The Brazilian started Manchester United’s Champions League meeting with Atlético Madrid on October 13, showing that he had not simply disappeared from the manager’s selection plans. He subsequently featured in the starting lineup against Leeds United on October 18, further demonstrating that he remained an option for the first team.
Those appearances make the claim that he has been banished particularly important to verify before drawing conclusions about his future.
Nevertheless, Manchester United’s disappointing results have intensified scrutiny of the entire squad. The team’s heavy defeat against Como on October 21 increased the pressure on Carrick and raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of the club’s summer recruitment.
Santos was among the players criticised following that defeat, with some assessments questioning his performance and contribution in midfield. However, criticism of a player’s performance is not the same as confirmation that the club has disciplined or excluded him.
For a young midfielder trying to establish himself, the challenge will be responding positively to criticism and demonstrating that he can perform consistently at the highest level.
Carrick must also decide how best to manage his midfield options. Manchester United need players who can protect the defence, control possession and help the team progress the ball under pressure. Santos possesses qualities that could contribute to those objectives, but he must show that he can deliver them reliably within the manager’s tactical system.
The situation also raises questions about the financial investment United made in the Brazilian. A reported £50 million transfer fee naturally creates expectations, and supporters will want to see evidence that the club’s recruitment strategy is producing results.
However, a substantial transfer fee does not guarantee an immediate starting position. Players often need time to adapt to a new league, understand their teammates’ movements and adjust to the physical and tactical demands of a different club.
Santos is still young enough to improve considerably, and Manchester United must determine whether patience and consistent coaching can help him fulfil his potential.
If the midfielder were genuinely excluded from the first-team squad, the club would need to explain whether the decision was tactical, disciplinary or related to another issue. Each possibility would have different implications for his future.
A tactical decision could simply reflect the manager’s preference for other midfield combinations. A disciplinary issue would require reliable evidence before any conclusions could be drawn, while a decision related to fitness would need to be considered separately from questions about his performances.
Without confirmation from Manchester United or a reliable report establishing the circumstances, it would be irresponsible to assume that Santos has fallen out with Carrick or his teammates.
For the player, the immediate priority should be earning opportunities through his performances in training and demonstrating that he can contribute to the team’s recovery. Manchester United need greater consistency across the squad, and every midfielder will be expected to compete for a place.
Supporters, meanwhile, will be watching closely to see how Carrick handles the situation. Some may argue that Santos deserves more time to adapt, while others may believe his performances must improve before he can become a regular starter.
Ultimately, Manchester United cannot afford to make decisions about expensive signings based solely on short-term frustration. The club must assess each player’s contribution carefully and determine whether he remains capable of fulfilling the objectives behind his recruitment.
Santos’s future at Old Trafford will depend on his performances, the manager’s plans and the club’s assessment of its midfield options over the coming months.
For now, the claim that Andrey Santos has been banished from Manchester United’s first-team squad remains unverified. His recent starts against Atlético Madrid and Leeds United indicate that he had been involved in first-team selection, making further reliable information necessary before concluding that his status has changed.
If his opportunities become more limited, questions about his role and long-term future could grow. But if he responds positively, improves his consistency and earns the manager’s trust, he could still become an important part of Manchester United’s midfield rebuild.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Santos can turn a difficult period into an opportunity to prove his value at Old Trafford.
Manchester United paid a significant fee to bring the Brazilian to the club, and both the player and the coaching staff will be under pressure to ensure that the investment produces the desired results.