Carrick drops pre-Como line-up hint as he lauds two ‘terrific’ Reds who were ‘a massive positive’ vs Leeds

Michael Carrick was pleased with what he saw from Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba against both Atletico Madrid and Leeds United.

The two summer signings have been introduced to the action considerably more in recent weeks, with Baleba making his debut against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10 and Santos being granted more opportunities to stake his claim.

Santos is finally getting minutes under his belt

However, the Brazilian will likely drop out of the side once Kobbie Mainoo returns from injury, as the first-choice midfielder has been sidelined for the last two outings.

It’s led to Youri Tielemans operating in a more advanced attacking role and Bruno Fernandes being shifted to the right flank, which isn’t his favoured position by any means.

Santos, 22, was an unused substitute for three consecutive Premier League games before being deployed from the off at Elland Road, where he played the full 90 minutes – as he did in Madrid five days prior.

As for Baleba, his start to the season was delayed due to an ankle ligament injury, but he is now finding his feet in the setup and impressing while doing so.

Baleba earns praise after first appearances

Gary Neville said of the Cameroonian at full-time on Sunday: “I know he had a difficult season last year at Brighton, but you watch him in his first couple of games or so for United, and he’s got something. He’s got a bit of strength about him; he’s got a presence.

“Him staying fit is going to be absolutely critical. I can understand why Michael Carrick took him off with 20 minutes to go [at Leeds], because he’s played [nearly] three games in a week.”

Meanwhile, Carrick said of both youngsters after the draw in Yorkshire: “You look at the midfield with Carlos and Andrey, that’s a pretty fresh spine of the team through that middle of the pitch.

“Both young players are adapting to life at this football club, and I thought both of them were terrific today.

“I thought they both did really well in midweek. So that’s a massive positive for us.”