Rio Ferdinand is not convinced Andrey Santos will be an immediate starter for Manchester United next season.
United have made rebuilding their midfield a top priority this summer abd have already missed out on two top targets in Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes who have joined Manchester City and Tottenham respectively.
They have moved quickly to wrap up a deal for Chelsea midfielder Santos, however, with a deal worth an initial £48million agreed on Thursday. He is expected to become United’s second signing of the summer with a deal also agreed to sign Ederson from Atalanta for £35million.
With Casemiro leaving the club and Manuel Ugarte facing a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, United are desperately short of options in the middle of the park.
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While Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount can play there, Kobbie Mainoo is the only senior central midfielder available to Michael Carrick until new signings are in the door.
Despite the lack of options, United legend Ferdinand is not convinced Santos will be an automatic starter when the club get their campaign up and running against newly-promoted Hull City on 22 August.
While the former defender believes Santos could prove to be a long-term partner in midfield for Mainoo, he suggests there is room for another signing in the middle of the park.
‘Is he the guy who is going to replace Casemiro? I don’t think he is the guy who immediately jumps into those shoes and performs at that level right now,’ Ferdinand told Rio Reacts.
‘Could he grow, does he have the potential? Yes. Could he be the long-term partner for Kobbie Mainoo? Yes, he could.
‘But I’m looking to see who else they bring in in that area because I think he is one of maybe three to come into that area to share the load.
‘He has played in the Premier League, he has got six caps for Brazil. I’ve seen a lot of the fan base are quite negative about it, but I think they are only negative about it because he’s the first one and other clubs are signing players who have been in the news a lot more.
‘Is he a good addition to the squad? Yes. Is he going to start immediately? I would say not right now.’