Andrey Santos Set for Manchester United Debut in Helsinki
Andrey Santos is in line for his first appearance in Manchester United colours on Saturday, named in the travelling squad for the pre-season friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki.
The 22-year-old Brazilian, Michael Carrick’s first permanent signing, only completed his move from Chelsea on Monday in a deal that could rise to £50 million. Four days of work at Carrington later, he is already on the plane and in the thick of United’s preparations.
Carrick’s new era takes shape
Carrick has picked a 25-man group that blends established names with a clutch of hungry prospects, a reflection of a summer disrupted by international duty. Several senior players, including fellow new midfielder Youri Tielemans, are still away or recovering after World Cup exertions, leaving room for others to stake an early claim.
Benjamin Sesko is the most notable absentee. The Slovenia striker, who missed the final three games of last season with a shin injury, has stayed behind to continue his push towards full fitness. His absence changes the picture up front.
- Harry Maguire
- Bryan Mbeumo
- Patrick Dorgu
- Leny Yoro
- Luke Shaw
- Ayden Heaven
- Mason Mount
- Joshua Zirkzee
are all involved, giving Carrick a strong spine around which to experiment. Around them, United have packed the squad with youth.
Harry Amass and Shea Lacey travel again, part of a growing group of academy players being exposed to the first-team environment. At right-back, Jaydan Kamason will sense a real opportunity to impress, while midfielders Jacob Devaney, Dan Gore and Jim Thwaites are also on the list, joined by Tyler and Jack Fletcher.
Up front, the door swings open for Chidi Obi and Ethan Wheatley, who stand to benefit most from Sesko’s absence. JJ Gabriel, though, has not been included.
In goal, there is no place yet for Karl Darlow. The experienced keeper, signed this week on a free from Leeds, has remained in Manchester as he beds into his new surroundings. Tom Heaton provides the senior presence between the posts in Helsinki, supported by Radek Vitek and Dermot Mee.
Wrexham tune up before U.S. tour
For Wrexham, the game is a key staging post before a high-profile tour of the United States, where they will face Leeds, Liverpool and Sunderland. The Welsh club have made the trip to Finland without Josh Windass and Max Cleworth.
Manager Phil Parkinson insists the squad’s overall conditioning is where it needs to be, even with a few players nursing holdovers from last season.
“We're where we need to be in terms of fitness,” Parkinson said. “We've got a few lads, like most clubs, who have come back in later, with one or two niggly things which have carried over from last season.
“However, we're not overly concerned with those and the lads are in a good place. There'll be a few who aren't quite ready for the game at the weekend and will be training here instead.
“Josh has been running this week. He's had a slight problem with his calf, but he's in great shape and there's no need to rush him too much. Max had a problem with his Achilles, which has been an ongoing problem. But we feel this off-season, and this slow build-up for him now, will do him good.”
For United, Helsinki offers something slightly different. It is a first glimpse of Santos in red, a first hint of how Carrick wants to weave his new signing into a reshaped midfield, and another audition for a group of youngsters suddenly much closer to the first team than they were a month ago.
The stakes are low on paper. For a handful of players on both sides, the consequences of what happens in Finland could shape their entire season.
