Manchester United midfielder Andrey Santos endured a difficult return to Chelsea on Saturday, facing heavy social media criticism following a 2-0 defeat.

The 22-year-old Brazilian moved from Stamford Bridge to Old Trafford in the summer for a £50 million fee.

Santos could not prevent United from losing his first match back at his former club, and supporters mocked him online after Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for Chelsea.

As the Blues player advanced toward the penalty area without opposition, Santos attempted a sliding challenge that missed the mark completely.

Supporters quickly took to social media to ridicule the former Strasbourg loanee for failing to stop Rogers.

One person compared the incident to video games, writing, "When you accidentally press square."

Another user asked, "What was that pretend tackle by Santos?"

A third remarked, "Literally looks like on Fifa where the game won't switch to the right player so the opponent can just run straight through."

A fourth commenter posted, "That's a Brazil international right there."

A fifth added, "Looks like a glitch in the Matrix or something."

Santos has faced criticism since joining United, and reports indicated he was not among the club's primary transfer targets.

Red Devils manager Michael Carrick reportedly pursued Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Ederson prior to signing the midfielder from Chelsea.

United substituted Santos shortly after the hour mark while searching for a way back into the match against the West London team.

Following the opening goal by Rogers, Chelsea gained another scoring chance when Lisandro Martinez received a red card.

Cole Palmer scored the ensuing penalty kick, leaving Manchester United winless in nine consecutive matches.