United Finally Lock In Two Signings as Ederson Medical Drags On

The wait is almost over for Manchester United fans who have been refreshing their feeds for weeks. Midfielder Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow are expected to put pen to paper on Friday at Carrington, according to Sky Sports.

Both players have already passed their medicals and agreed personal terms. Santos, the Brazilian who spent time at Chelsea without ever really getting a run, is the kind of project signing INEOS seems to love — young, technical, and now under the wing of Michael Carrick. There’s real belief inside the club that Carrick can unlock what made Santos a coveted prospect in the first place.

Darlow’s arrival is more straightforward. The former Leeds keeper fills the homegrown slot left by Altay Bayindir’s departure. He’s not flashy, but he’s solid depth for a squad that needs exactly that.

The Ederson Situation Is Still Weird

Here’s where things get messy. Ederson — the Atalanta midfielder, not the Manchester City goalkeeper — was supposed to be United’s first signing of the summer. Fans thought it was a done deal weeks ago. He even had a medical in the United States between World Cup matches for Brazil.

But United didn’t love what they saw. Or didn’t see enough. So they’ve called him to Manchester for a more thorough exam that’s reportedly lasting two full days and won’t wrap up until Friday. That’s not nothing. When a club sends a player for a two-day medical, it usually means something in the scans gave them pause.

United hasn’t confirmed any of this, obviously. But multiple reports indicate the club wants to be absolutely sure before committing to what would be a significant outlay. Ederson is talented, no question. But INEOS has been burned before on big-money midfield signings and they’re being careful here.

What Comes Next for Carrick

Even if all three deals close in the next few days, Michael Carrick still has a shopping list. The manager wants at least one more midfielder, a left-back, a left winger, and a backup striker. That’s a lot of business with Champions League soccer waiting in the fall.

Santos and Darlow help. Ederson would help more. But United’s summer is far from finished, and the clock is ticking.

As for whether any of the three will be officially announced Friday or held until the weekend, nobody’s saying. But after a long quiet stretch, United fans will take whatever they can get.