Hermansen started in the Hammers victory over Burnley away to give them their third win in four games, and their first clean sheet since August.
Speaking at his weekly press conference, Santo expressed how important the goalkeeper role is detailing his own experience playing in that position.
Santo said: “The goalkeeping situation is a special one inside of the group. We decided to put Mads in [against Burnley] and he did a good job. They [Hermansen and Alphonse Areloa] are helping each other and everyone wants to make decisions for the best of the team.”
He added: “I have been there. As you know, I was a goalkeeper – sometimes I played, sometimes I didn’t. They’re all there to help each other, and this what’s happening in our small group of goalkeepers – realising that the one who plays, needs the one who doesn’t to make him better.”
Santo also praised the role of the new players that have come in the January transfer window.
He added: “We have been able to put more bodies in the box. We are achieving better combinations in the final third and we have been scoring. The players that have come in have been giving a big boost to help the team.”
“To score you have to get it in the box and shoot. We dare our players to try things and challenge themselves – because with risk comes rewards.”
Santo also gave praise to Micheal Carrick for the way he handled the task of taking over Manchester United and singled out Bruno Fernandes as their major threat.
He said: “On Manchester United under interim boss Michael Carrick: “They’re in a good moment. You can see the players are going to be confident and it’s going to be tough. They have a lot of talented players.”
We look at many things for Manchester United, but Bruno Fernandes is definitely one we need to look out for. He’s a fantastic player and I have a big admiration for Bruno.”
West Ham have won each of their last three home league games against Manchester United, last having a longer run between 1974 and 1977.