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Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has raised questions over the club’s decision to spend heavily on Chelsea youngster Andrey Santos this summer. Ince feels the presence of Kobbie Mainoo makes the expensive midfield signing hard to understand, while also urging new permanent head coach Michael Carrick to help revive Marcus Rashford’s stalled career at Old Trafford.

Ince questions Santos transfer strategy

Speaking to Oddschecker, Ince said he had reservations about United paying £50 million to bring in Santos. The Brazilian leaves Chelsea after making 47 appearances, scoring three goals and supplying five assists during a mixed spell that also included loan moves to Vasco da Gama, Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg. With Casemiro leaving, United have been looking for midfield reinforcements, but Ince believes the big fee is misplaced.

“Whether [Manuel] Ugarte comes back, I don’t know, but they’ve signed the lad Santos from Chelsea for £50m, which is a lot of money for someone like him. I think the jury’s still out on that one,” Ince explained. “So to spend £50m on a young central midfield player when you’ve got [Kobbie] Mainoo coming through the ranks, kind of baffled me a bit.”

Competition for places in midfield

United have also added Youri Tielemans by activating a £35m release clause, giving Carrick more options in the middle of the park. Ince praised Tielemans but repeated his faith in Mainoo’s ability to hold the midfield together, provided he continues the progress he has shown recently. Last season, Mainoo made 30 appearances, scoring once and providing three assists for United.

“Obviously Tielemans I think is a fantastic player. More of a Fernandes type of player, but a very good player,” Ince said.

On Mainoo, he added: “Towards the back end of the season, he started to tackle, win balls, set things up, get himself in the box, make things happen. And he looks a completely different player.”

Carrick urged to support Rashford

Beyond the midfield reshuffle, Rashford’s future continues to be a major talking point. The forward impressed during a loan spell with Barcelona, finishing with 14 goals and 14 assists, but his long-term future remains unclear after his difficulties under Ruben Amorim. Ince is convinced that Carrick can bring out the best in him. “I think Carrick can get the best out of him. I really, really do,” Ince said.

“If Carrick just puts his arm around him and says, ‘Yeah, listen, you know, I want you at the club, I need you at the club. This is where you’re going to play. This is what you’re going to do.’ Then I believe you’re going to see a very, very good Rashford for Manchester United.”

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What next for Manchester United?

United will now aim to build momentum before the new Premier League campaign. After recovering from an opening defeat with a 5-0 win over Rosenborg, they take on Atletico Madrid in Stockholm this weekend. More pre-season matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and AC Milan are also lined up before they begin their league season away to Hull City on August 22.