Andrey Santos Hails Bruno Fernandes as Manchester United’s Standout Player

Andrey Santos has named Bruno Fernandes as the Manchester United player who stood out to him most before the Brazilian joined the Old Trafford club, calling the United captain “an extraordinary player” after their Chelsea meeting last season.

Santos arrived from Chelsea for £48 million ($64m) in the summer as United rebuilt their midfield, joining Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba in a group already featuring Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo. The 22-year-old has now said the chance to train and play with Fernandes was a major attraction.

“I have watched him for years as a fan,” Santos said. “To be alongside him now, to learn from him and enjoy that experience, is special. He is an extraordinary player.”

From Chelsea opponent to United teammate

1. Santos started for Chelsea in last season’s match at Old Trafford, a 2-1 defeat in which goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was dismissed after only five minutes.
2. The Brazilian described that contest as a difficult, physical match marked by red cards, but said Fernandes was the only United player he could single out for praise.
3. Casemiro was also sent off in that game, but went on to produce his strongest United campaign, scoring nine goals and registering two assists.
4. The Brazilian midfielder then left for Inter Miami in the summer, where he joined Lionel Messi, opening the door for Santos to become part of United’s new midfield.

Santos knows he has followed a major figure for both Brazil and Manchester United. “I understand how big he is, in Brazil and at United, and that brings a huge responsibility,” he said of Casemiro. “But I enjoy responsibility. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world, maybe the biggest, and I work every day to give everything I can.”

Rapid change after difficult season

Both clubs endured dramatic changes after Chelsea’s victory over United. Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim departed their jobs in January, with Liam Rosenior leaving Strasbourg to take charge at Stamford Bridge and Michael Carrick appointed by United.

• Chelsea won just two of their final 11 league fixtures and ended the campaign in 10th place.
• United lost only twice in 17 games under Carrick and finished third.
• Fernandes delivered a record-breaking 21 assists during United’s surge.

Santos had waited to establish himself in west London after joining Chelsea from Vasco da Gama in 2023. He returned to Brazil on loan, had an unsuccessful spell at Nottingham Forest, then impressed across two productive seasons with Strasbourg before finally becoming a regular for Chelsea in 2025-26.

How the United move was sealed

1. United’s interest emerged quickly, despite expectations that the club could pursue Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
2. While taking his children to a paediatrician appointment, Santos was told his agent had been contacted about a meeting with United.
3. The midfielder immediately stopped, left his children with his wife and joined a call from the car park with United’s chairman and coach.
4. Two days later, while travelling to report back to Chelsea, Santos received another call telling him the plan had changed and that he should prepare to join United instead.

“It was very hectic, but it worked out,” Santos said. “I’m happy to be here.”