Manchester United’s summer midfield rebuild has been a rollercoaster. And the latest twist involves Atalanta’s Ederson, a player they were hours away from signing before backing out.
The Red Devils had agreed personal terms and a fee structure with Atalanta, settling on around £35 million for the Brazilian midfielder. But then the medical happened. Sources told BBC Sport that concerns flagged during that exam made United pull the plug, at least for now.
Here’s the thing: the door isn’t shut. According to reports, United could revive the move later this summer depending on how the rest of their transfer window shakes out. They’ve got Champions League soccer back on the schedule, which means they need bodies — specifically, quality bodies who can play in multiple competitions.
The Midfield Puzzle
United have already missed on a couple of key targets. Elliot Anderson went to Manchester City. Mateus Fernandes chose Tottenham. Those stings hurt, but the club finally caught a break in the last 48 hours by completing a £48 million deal for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos. That alone shifts the tone of the window.
Then there’s Youri Tielemans. The Aston Villa midfielder is reportedly keen on a move to Old Trafford, and his contract includes a £35 million release clause. That’s a straightforward deal if United want to pull the trigger. Tielemans is experienced, Premier League proven, and wouldn’t require the same medical scrutiny Ederson apparently did.
So where does Ederson fit now? If Tielemans comes in and Santos settles, the gap closes. But United aren’t exactly swimming in midfield depth. Christian Eriksen is getting older. Casemiro’s been inconsistent. Scott McTominay might still leave. Which means Ederson remains a very real possibility — just not at the original price.
Left-Back Headache
United also need a left-back. Luke Shaw’s injury issues are chronic at this point, and the club can’t keep relying on him to stay healthy for a full season. They’ve identified Newcastle’s Lewis Hall as the top target. But the Magpies aren’t interested in selling, at least not this summer. Hall is a prized asset for them, and Newcastle don’t have to deal. So United may have to pivot or wait.
Michael Carrick’s side (yes, Carrick is still managing United in this scenario) has a lot of moving parts. The Ederson situation is just one of them. But if the medical flags get resolved or another team comes in for Tielemans, don’t be surprised if United circle back to Atlanta’s midfielder at a renegotiated fee.
The window has a way of forcing clubs into decisions they didn’t expect to make. United learned that the hard way with Anderson and Fernandes. They might learn it again with Ederson.
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