Paul Scholes, like most Manchester United supporters, is harbouring concerns over the club’s lack of action on the market.
Although their deal for Andrey Santos was finalised with the successful completion of his medical last Friday, they subsequently decided to pull out of their agreement for Atalanta’s Ederson.
United call off Ederson deal at final stage
The Brazilian has reportedly already left England and is said to be gutted over his failed move, having spent the last month preparing to become a United player.
United U-turned after analysing his full medical at Carrington last week, which flagged issues over a knee injury Ederson had suffered in 2025/2026.
🚨⚠️ EXCL: Éderson to Manchester United, deal OFF and considered as collapsed as Man Utd informed Atalanta.
Atalanta believe Éderson is 100% fit and will welcome the midfielder back as part of their squad, as Man United changed their plans.
Éderson won’t join #MUFC. pic.twitter.com/8e5YD25BEC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 10, 2026
Now, however, it poses the question as to whom they will look to sign instead, having already missed out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes since the window officially opened.
Santos to join up with new teammates this week
Santos will sign a contract until 2031 in M16, plus the option of an additional 12 months.
It sees his Chelsea tenure come to an end after three-and-a-half years, only half of which was actually spent in London due to his loan spells with Vasco de Gama, Strasbourg and Nottingham Forest.
The 22-year-old failed to nail down a starting role with Chelsea, primarily because both Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo had been deemed irreplaceable in the XI.
Andrey Santos with Chelsea last season in all competitions 😮💨
📊 @Sofascore pic.twitter.com/G0UStQGXaW
— utdreport (@utdreport) July 10, 2026
What Scholes had to say about United
Still, Scholes has questioned the signing, saying on The Good, The Bad & The Football (h/t UtdDistrict): “I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of excitement about it, is there? Put it that way.
“Why are Chelsea selling him, a 22-year-old kid? Who else is around now, though, whom they can get? [Sandro] Tonali has gone [to Tottenham Hotspur].”
“[Bruno] Guimaraes, who is a really good player, I still don’t think he would have suited Manchester United legs-wise, but it looks like he wants to go to Arsenal.”
Regarding long-linked star Adam Wharton, the United legend added: “I suppose he could be a possibility.
“I think he’s still a good player and will be available at the right price. They’ve got to do something.
“Ultimately, with Manchester United especially, it will be the fellas at the top of the club who would be deciding [targets]. And I think they might see some value in this player [Andrey Santos] as a sellable [asset]. But Manchester United buying players as a sell-on value? We need players for now.
“We’ve got the Champions League next year. We’ve got three games a week. It’s going to be awful without these players.”
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