Could Santos help solve Man Utd's midfield malaise?

[Getty Images] Chelsea's Andrey Santos is the latest player Manchester United have taken an interest in as they look to address their problem midfield position. With Casemiro leaving after his contract expired on 30 June and Manuel Ugarte expected to be sold, United went into the summer with England's Kobbie Mainoo as their only recognised central midfielder and with the stated aim of addressing the situation as a matter of priority. Since then, events have taken a turn. Ugarte sustained what the 25-year-old described as "the most serious injury a footballer can face" on World Cup duty for Uruguay against Spain. In the transfer market, United have encountered more issues. On 25 June, Manchester City agreed a club record £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for England international Elliot Anderson. He had been United's number one midfield target. Then, on 2 July, Tottenham paid a club record £85m for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes. United had pushed hard to sign the Portuguese and genuinely thought he was a player they could attain. United have agreed a £35m deal with Serie A outfit Atalanta for Ederson but his late call-up to the Brazil squad means his medical will not happen until Carlo Ancelotti's side are out of the competition. As with all United's World Cup players, he will then get a minimum of three weeks off. Had Liam Rosenior remained as Chelsea manager, Santos might not have been for sale. The 22-year-old featured for Rosenior at Strasbourg and made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season. He fits the same kind of profile as Casemiro, albeit with vastly less experience. BBC Sport's Nizaar Kinsella reported on 3 July "a number of sides are understood to be interested in Santos" and that "those close to Santos seem open to the possibility of a move". He could be available for around £50m. Read more on United's midfield targets