Wayne Rooney Questions Michael Carrick's Trust in Andrey Santos at Manchester United

Wayne Rooney has stirred the pot regarding Manchester United's midfield dynamics, particularly focusing on Andrey Santos. The former United star suggested that manager Michael Carrick does not seem to have much faith in Santos, who joined the club from Chelsea in the summer for £50 million. This revelation follows United's recent 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League, a match where Santos remained an unused substitute, further fueling speculation about his role in the squad.

Rooney's comments came during an appearance on The United Stand, where he questioned the logic behind United's midfield decisions. After witnessing the disappointing defeat, he remarked, "What I don’t understand is, so we signed Tielemans, we signed Santos, then we signed Baleba, who I think is a good signing, Baleba, when he gets on the pitch. But then you have got Santos on the bench." This statement highlights Rooney's frustration over the apparent lack of opportunities for Santos, especially considering the hefty investment made by the club.

The match saw Manchester United making only two substitutions, with Carrick opting for Benjamin Šeško and Joshua Zirkzee, while the highly-touted Santos watched from the sidelines. This decision led Rooney to ponder the implications for the squad, particularly when Baleba returns fit from injury.

Santos, a 22-year-old Brazil international, has had limited impact on the pitch, managing just 83 minutes of Premier League action this season. His only noteworthy contribution came in a Champions League match against Sabah, where he did see some playing time as United secured a 4-0 victory. However, his lack of consistent game time raises questions about Carrick's strategy and the overall direction of the team.

Adding to the concerns, Manchester United has had a rocky start to their Premier League campaign, accumulating only four points from their opening four matches. Despite the dismal results, journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that INEOS, the club's co-owners, are not considering dismissing Carrick anytime soon. They believe in his potential to lead the team back to success despite the early-season struggles.

Romano stated, "Manchester United absolutely remain convinced that the future will be bright under Michael Carrick." This faith in Carrick implies that the club is willing to give him time to sort out the current issues within the squad. The sentiment from the management seems to be that the team will improve, especially after the international break.

Meanwhile, Carrick himself has remained optimistic about the squad's capabilities. He recently said, "We are going to do very well, I am confident, this team is good," indicating that he believes in the talent available to him, including the yet-to-be-seen contributions from Santos and other signings like Carlos Baleba.

Baleba, another significant addition this summer, was acquired for £70 million but has not yet featured for the club due to an ankle injury sustained during pre-season. Carrick has expressed hope that Baleba will soon be back in action, emphasizing the importance of his return to bolster the midfield.

James Milner, a former player with experience in both Liverpool and Manchester City, has praised Baleba's potential impact, noting his physical qualities and ability to dominate matches. Milner stated, "He can burst forward with it, can dominate areas," highlighting Baleba's attributes that could transform United's midfield dynamics in the future.

As Manchester United seeks to navigate a challenging season, the spotlight remains on Carrick's decisions regarding player selection and the integration of new talents like Santos and Baleba. With Rooney's comments echoing the frustrations of many fans, it will be intriguing to see how Carrick responds and whether he can turn the team's fortunes around in the weeks to come.