Journo shares what he’s hearing about CFC player United asked for during Garnacho talks as ‘on track’ claim made

Manchester United remain firm admirers of Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, but are yet to receive any inclination that he might be available this summer.The Blues midfielder is one of a host of names being considered by INEOS chiefs as they prepare for Casemiro’s departure in June.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYUnited and Andrey Santos: What’s been said up to this point?United first established their interest in Santos last year when holding talks with Chelsea over Alejandro Garnacho.A deal eventually came to fruition to grant the Argentine’s desired switch to Stamford Bridge, but the London club were unwilling to part ways with Santos at that time.When 2025/2026 got underway, the 21-year-old was struggling to cement a starting spot under Enzo Maresca, and was deployed from the off just four times in the opening 19 Premier League matches of the term.What’s more, he was also an unused substitute on five occasions, meaning Santos had racked up only 441 top-flight minutes by the time Maresca was relieved of his duties – which perhaps explains United sizing up a move.How Santos is faring under Liam RoseniorThat has all changed since Liam Rosenior took the reins, however.Rosenior managed Santos during his loan with Strasbourg last season, and started the youngster in all 32 Ligue 1 matches he was available for – even granting him the captain’s armband for several games.Alas, it’s come as no surprise to see that the Brazilian has been enjoying a much more prominent role under the new head coach.Of the eight league matches that Rosenior has been in the dugout for, Santos has started five times and been utilised off the bench twice.Such a drastic change has led Ben Jacobs to doubt United’s chances of signing the Vasco de Gama graduate this year. He told The United Stand yesterday: “Chelsea feel that Santos’ pathway from Strasbourg to Chelsea is on track, and in addition to that, he’s got a very favorable manager, and I think Manchester United know that, so I’m not aware, despite the interest, of any active or further talks since he came up during the conversations for Garnacho.“If Manchester United get any wind that there is a chance that Chelsea might be prepared to sell, then it still could be one to watch between now and the summer!”