Man United fringe player should start vs Leeds, better-than-expected stats prove why
Andrey Santos has found minutes hard to come by since making the £50million switch from Chelsea to Manchester United in the summer.
The 22-year-old joined alongside Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba as Michael Carrick's midfield reinforcements, but has made just three Premier League appearances so far this season, made up of one start and only 83 minutes in total.
Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League saw the Brazilian handed a start and he looked to deliver, despite the dismal result.
Santos will now hope to keep his place against Leeds United on Sunday, in what will undoubtedly be a crunch match for Carrick and Man United.
The Englishman, who was handed the permanent job in the summer, is under huge pressure already with his team having won just two of their opening nine games across all competitions.
Defeat at Elland Road could even see the Red Devils drop as far as 17th in the Premier League, depending on results elsewhere.
Andrey Santos must keep his place vs Leeds
Santos' debut was difficult. It came as Man United were embarrassed by newly-promoted Hull City on the opening weekend.
The young Brazilian had looked his age, inexperienced and left wanting physically, earning him a spot on the bench for every Premier League clash since.
But Man United's results have hardly benefitted since, and Santos showed on Tuesday that he certainly is capable of competing.
The midfielder was one of few players to stand up in Madrid, holding his own even as his team were dominated with both 11 men and 10, when Leny Yoro was dismissed.
Santos completed 54 passes on the night, including eight that broke the lines and nine into the final third. Only one player on the pitch - Atletico's Johnny Cardoso - covered more ground than him, and he was fouled three times.
It was his defensive work that stood out. The Brazil international made three tackles, a clearance, an interception and four recoveries, remarkably winning seven of his eight duels.
How should Man United set up?
Unfortunately for Carrick, his team's situation calls for difficult decisions in selection.
Kobbie Mainoo has been among few standouts this season, but results are not improving all the while he and Tielemans keep their places.
The solution may well be to drop both midfielders and hand starts to both Baleba and Santos, who would at least bring something fresh.
For such a key game, however, it would be a risk to united two players with so little experience of playing together. The answer may well be something in between, and it will be Carrick's duty to find it.