Manchester United have added Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos to their shortlist as they step up efforts to rebuild a midfield that has been severely depleted ahead of the new season.
The club entered the summer already facing major changes after Casemiro departed following the expiry of his contract, while Manuel Ugarte had been expected to leave Old Trafford as part of the squad overhaul. That left England international Kobbie Mainoo as United's only established central midfielder.
However, their plans were thrown into disarray when Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury while representing Uruguay at the World Cup against Spain.
Although United have yet to officially confirm the extent of the damage, the 25-year-old is believed to have sustained a cruciate ligament injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for the remainder of 2026, ending any prospect of a summer transfer.
United's search for reinforcements has also been frustrated in the transfer market.
Their primary target, England midfielder Elliot Anderson, joined Manchester City from Nottingham Forest in a club-record £116 million deal on 25 June.
Just days later, Tottenham Hotspur secured Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes from West Ham for a club-record £85 million. United had worked extensively on a deal and believed the midfielder was within reach before Spurs entered the race.
West Ham, under co-chair Daniel Kretinsky, refused to lower their asking price, and although United were prepared to match the £85 million valuation through a package including add-ons, they opted against entering a bidding war that could have pushed the fee even higher.
United have reached an agreement with Atalanta to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson in a deal worth £35 million.
However, his late inclusion in Brazil's World Cup squad has delayed the move, with his medical set to take place only after the tournament concludes. Like United's other World Cup participants, Ederson will then receive at least three weeks' rest before joining up with the squad.
The delay leaves manager Michael Carrick with limited midfield options when pre-season begins on 9 July.
When United return for fitness testing, Mason Mount is expected to be the most experienced midfielder available, despite being viewed primarily as an attacking player.
Carrick may also call upon youngsters Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, and twins Jack and Tyler Fletcher, while several academy prospects—including Jacob Devaney, Jack Moorhouse, Jayce Fitzgerald, Sekou Kone and Jim Thwaites—could be given opportunities during pre-season.
United open their preparations with a friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July before facing Rosenborg six days later.
Those matches are expected to provide valuable experience for the club's emerging talent, but with higher-profile fixtures against Atletico Madrid and other European opposition scheduled for August, United are determined to strengthen the heart of their midfield before the Premier League campaign begins.
With Santos now emerging as a serious target, the Red Devils continue their search for the quality and depth needed to solve one of the biggest issues in Carrick's squad.
