Harry Maguire explains what Andrey Santos has brought to Manchester United training

Man United signed talented midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a £50m deal earlier this month.

Harry Maguire has praised the personality Andrey Santos has shown at Carrington since signing for Manchester United from Chelsea earlier this month.

United paid an initial £48million, with a potential £2m in add-ons, to make Santos their first signing of the summer window, and the Brazilian started in the opening two pre-season games against Wrexham and Rosenborg.

When Santos’ move was announced, Jason Wilcox described him as “an outstanding midfielder with excellent technical qualities”.

Michael Carrick has spoken about Santos’ potential, but Maguire discussed his character during a recent interview. Speaking to the United Scandinavia Supporters’ Club, Maguire said of the midfielder: “He’s a really nice person, always smiling.

“We’ve just got to try and make him feel comfortable at the moment. But yeah, he’s come in, he’s settled in really well. He’s been brilliant in training. I thought he was brilliant in the game as well.

“And yeah, he’s always smiling, he’s always laughing and joking around. But yeah, like I said, he’s still really young, and he’s going to have a big part to play in this club’s future.

“He should be really excited to get going for the first Premier League game of the season. All our signings, I’m sure there’s going to be a couple more coming in, and we need to make sure we’re ready with a big squad and ready to compete in all competitions.”

Mason Mount also praised Santos when he spoke in Trondheim last week. “Yeah, I’ve known Andre for a while,” said Mount. “I’ve watched him from afar, since he’s obviously broken into the first team at Chelsea. I think he’s a really good player. As you said, he reads the game very well.

“I know he’s young, but he’s very experienced in going out on loan and playing in the Premier League as well. He reads the game very well. He’s a little bit more defensive, so it allows me to push on a little bit more forward in these last two games and work off him.”

Mount praised Santos’ defensive ability and admitted he is enjoying playing a deeper role.

“I think defensively as well, we’re both players that want to get around it, want to put tackles in and win the ball back and be aggressive,” he added.

“So I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s a position that I’ve played for many, many years from a young age, so I’m used to that in there. It’s a position that I love and that I see myself in.”