Andrey Santos: Michael Carrick gives verdict on Brazil midfielder's debut in Manchester United defeat to Wrexham after transfer from Chelsea

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Michael Carrick reviewed his Manchester United side's 1-0 defeat to Wrexham on Saturday in Helsinki, with Andrey Santos making his first appearance in a shirt for his new club. He started alongside Mason Mount, with many other first-team players absent.

Andrey Santos in action during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Wrexham at Helsinki Olympic Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Helsinki, Finland.

Image credit: Getty Images

The two sides played at Helsinki's Olympic Stadium for United’s first pre-season match of the new campaign.

United did not take Karl Darlow, the back-up keeper signed on a free transfer after he left Leeds United when his contract expired, nor Youri Tielemans, who is expected to link up with his new team-mates in August, when players who were at the World Cup are due to return to training.

However, Santos was not part of the Brazil World Cup squad, and joined recently on a deal said to be worth up to £50 million from Chelsea, signing a contract that runs until 2031.

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Santos emerged as a regular for Chelsea under Liam Rosenior after impressing in the previous season with Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

United added Santos and Tielemans to their squad after Casemiro’s exit from Old Trafford, and an injury to Manuel Ugarte.

The 22-year-old played a half for Carrick’s side as Sam Smith got the winner for the Hollywood-owned club, and the head coach was left largely impressed with Santos and Mount despite the defeat.

He said: "There’s loads of little positives to take from the game. I thought Andrey and Mason [Mount] did some really good things and connected really well. I could see some positives there.

"[At the] top end of the pitch, just because it is a week in, those sharp little movements and bright moments that you are looking for, they come as you progress through the weeks of training. That is what it is.

"There were good signs from Andrey on his first one, he’s getting in the rhythm and feel of it again, so it was good to see him in a red shirt.”

With so few players available due to the World Cup, and an injury to Benjamin Sesko that is being handled carefully, Carrick did not look too closely at the result.

Carrick added: "As I said before the game, the boys have only been back together for 10 days or so.

"It was just about getting through today, looking for some positives, looking for some good things and knowing that it wasn’t going to be perfect.

"That is only natural for the first one. I think the most important thing is that everyone came through it in good shape. No injuries, so we can move on and take the next step next week.”

Next up for United is a friendly against Norwegian side Rosenborg in Trondheim, on Friday, July 24.

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