Andrey Santos answers his Man United critics with solid display in Champions League defeat vs Atletico Madrid

Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League yesterday. The Red Devils were caught cold inside the opening minute, with Atletico exploiting a long ball to take an early lead and leave United chasing the game.

Ademola Lookman doubled the lead for the hosts after the Red Devils were reduced to 10 men following ahighly controversial red card for Leny Yoro. Once the dust settles, Carrick will be encouraged by the commanding display of Andrey Santos.

The Brazilian made only his third start of the season following his£50 millionsummer move from Chelsea. He partnered Carlos Baleba in the middle of the park, with Youri Tielemans operating in the number 10 position.

Santos was heavily involved throughout the contest, registering an impressive 75 touches. His distribution was also reliable, with the midfielder completing 89% of his passes.

He looked to progress play whenever possible, completing nine passes in the final third and six line-breaking passes. He repeatedly dropped between the centre-backs, offering a passing option and helping United build from the back.

Santos also bailed out Diogo Dalot after the defender carelessly surrendered possession inside United's own box, preventing the mistake from proving costly. He made several important defensive contributions, including four recoveries and three tackles.

He was equally committed to the physical battles, winning seven of his eight duels to demonstrate his determination and competitive edge. There is still a lot of room for improvement, and Santos needs to add greater pace and urgency to his passing if he is to become a more influential presence in midfield.

However, the 22-year-old has faced considerable criticism in recent weeks, including scrutiny when he has barely had an opportunity to make his case on the pitch. His display against Atletico offered a timely reminder of his potential, suggesting he could develop into a reliable holding midfielder.