Scholes Slams Man Utd for £50m Andrey Santos Signing

Paul Scholes slams Manchester United's £50m signing of Andrey Santos

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has criticised his former club for signing Andrey Santos this summer, claiming the £50million midfielder lacks the quality to make the Red Devils title challengers. Scholes said United are "a million miles away" from winning the Premier League with their current recruitment strategy.

Who: Paul Scholes, Manchester United legend and former midfielder
What: Criticised United's summer signing of Andrey Santos for £50m from Chelsea
Where: On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, via Metro
When: September 23, 2026
Context: United signed Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba after Casemiro left as a free agent and Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury
What's at stake: United languish in the bottom half with five points from five matches and are already out of the Carabao Cup

What was said

"It feels quite sad to say this but Man United are a club now that are not trying to win the league with recruitment. Santos, Baleba, they've brought players in that physically they may be better. Santos played 11 games for Chelsea, they paid £50million for him."
— Paul Scholes, on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast

"But he's not getting into the team, now Baleba might make a bit of difference. But again, if you're recruiting at the start of the season for Manchester United, it should be for players that you think you can go and win the league with. I think they're a million miles away."
— Paul Scholes, on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast

Scholes' assessment cuts to the heart of United's summer rebuild. The former midfielder acknowledges Santos and Baleba offer physical improvements, but questions whether they represent the calibre required to close the gap on the Premier League's elite. His remark that Santos played only 11 matches for Chelsea before United spent £50m underlines his concern over value and readiness.

The pundit's criticism is not aimed at Santos personally, but at the club's overarching transfer policy. Scholes believes recruitment at Old Trafford should target players capable of immediately elevating United into title contention, rather than developmental talents who need time to adapt. With United already struggling this season, his words will intensify scrutiny on manager Michael Carrick and the club's decision-makers.

Deal details

Manchester United signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50million during the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder, who is also comfortable in a box-to-box role, arrived as part of a midfield overhaul that also brought in Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. United had been linked with more expensive options including Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Mateus Fernandes before ultimately opting for Santos.

Injury and availability

United's midfield rebuild was necessitated by the departure of Casemiro, who left as a free agent, and a serious knee injury sustained by Manuel Ugarte. Ugarte's absence has left a significant void in central midfield, increasing the pressure on Santos and Baleba to adapt quickly. Santos has struggled to break into Michael Carrick's starting line-up this season despite showing glimpses of his quality during pre-season.

Why Scholes' criticism misses the bigger picture at United

Andrey Santos is a talented 22-year-old with high potential. His technical soundness, ability to thread passes between the lines and defensive efficiency make him a shrewd long-term acquisition, even if he is not yet a regular starter. United's midfield revamp was forced by circumstances: Casemiro left as a free agent and Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury. Signing Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba alongside Santos was a necessary rebuild, not a luxury.

Scholes' claim that United are "a million miles away" from title contention is understandable given their start to the season, but it ignores the club's need to replenish a depleted midfield. The £50m fee for Santos reflects both his potential and the inflated market for young Brazilian talent. At 22, he has time to develop into a key player under Michael Carrick.

The bigger issue is United's dire form: five points from five matches, a bottom-half position and an early Carabao Cup exit. Carrick is under pressure, and the upcoming match against struggling Tottenham Hotspur after the international break could be decisive. Santos may not be the immediate solution, but writing him off after a handful of appearances is premature.

Talking points

Is £50m for a 22-year-old with only 11 Chelsea appearances a gamble or a necessary investment in potential?
Should Manchester United be targeting ready-made stars instead of developmental talents if they want to win the league?
Has Michael Carrick been given enough time, or does United's poor start demand a change in approach?
Can Carlos Baleba make a bigger immediate impact than Santos and justify the midfield overhaul?

What happens next

Manchester United face struggling Tottenham Hotspur after the long international break. With five points from five Premier League matches and an early Carabao Cup exit, Carrick's side urgently need a result to ease the growing pressure. Santos will hope to earn more minutes, while Baleba may be handed a chance to make the difference Scholes alluded to. A defeat could intensify calls for a change in strategy at Old Trafford.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Paul Scholes criticise Manchester United?

Scholes criticised United for signing Andrey Santos for £50million, arguing the 22-year-old lacks the quality to make the club title challengers and that United are "a million miles away" from winning the league with their recruitment.