Andrey Santos has said that Bruno Fernandes was the player from Manchester United that impressed him the most when facing his current employers with Chelsea.

Santos, 22, made the move from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford for a fee of £48 million ($64m) last summer as United looked to revamp their midfield.

The Brazilian joined alongside Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Carlos Baleba from Brighton to join the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Fernandes in the midfield ranks.

Santos was signed by Chelsea in 2023 from Brazilian side Vasco de Gama but was loaned out four times before getting a go in blue, returning for a season to Brazil, before an unsuccessful loan spell with Nottingham Forest and a hugely successful two seasons with Strasbourg.

That saw him finally given a chance at Chelsea in the 2025-26 season, and Santos was a regular member of the first team, which saw him start against United at Old Trafford last season.

The result? A dismal 2-1 defeat for Enzo Maresca's men, with Robert Sánchez sent off after five minutes.

It was a rare win for Ruben Amorim and when Santos talks about it, there is only one player he can praise.

"I remember when I played against United, at home, actually," he told ESPN.

"It was a really tough game, with red cards, a hard-fought match, but I can't name anyone [that impressed me] other than Bruno [Fernandes].

"As a football fan, I've always watched him play, and being alongside him is special -- being able to learn from him and enjoy it. He's an extraordinary player. I have to say it's him."

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Things would take a major downhill spiral for both clubs after that result, and both Maresca and Amorim left their respective clubs in January.

That saw Santos' Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior take the reins at Chelsea, while Michael Carrick came in for United.

What happened in the second half of the season for both clubs could scarcely be any different.

Chelsea's form plummeted, winning only two of their last 11 matches to finish 10th, while United, inspired by Fernandes' record-breaking 21 assists and Santos' compatriot Casemiro, lost just two of their 17 matches under Carrick to finish third.

Casemiro, who was sent off in that match with Chelsea at Old Trafford, scored nine times and assisted twice in by far his best season with the Red Devils, but announced his departure and joined Lionel Messi at Inter Miami in the summer.

Santos came in as his replacement, and is all too aware of the size of the boots he must fill.

"I haven't been here very long, but I know how big he is -- both in Brazil and at Manchester United -- and of course that's a huge responsibility," he said.

"But as a player, I like responsibility -- especially since I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the world, if not the biggest. And I try to do this the best way I can. I always work to give my best."

Santos' move to Manchester was one that seemingly came out of nowhere, with few rumours of the Brazilian swapping Premier League clubs due to United's interest in Atalanta's Ederson.

But after a meeting on the way to taking his children to the doctor, Santos explained that things moved quickly.

"It happened really fast. I remember I was taking my kids to the paediatrician, and my agent told me that United wanted to set up a meeting with me and asked what time would work for me," he added.

"I said, 'Right now.' I pulled over, left them with my wife at the paediatrician's office, went to the parking lot, called the chairman and the coach, and I remember that I had that meeting.

"About two days later, I was supposed to report to Chelsea. In the middle of the flight, my agent called me and said, 'Andrey, everything's changed -- it's not necessary anymore. Just pack your things so you can report to Manchester.'

"It was all very hectic, but thank God everything worked out, and I'm happy to be here."