What Will Ederson Offer Manchester United?

ConsumerSportsMoneyWhat Will Ederson Offer Manchester United?ByGraham Ruthven,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I am a soccer writer based in the United KingdomFollow AuthorJun 05, 2026, 10:16am EDTSTADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILANO, ITALY - 2026/05/10: Ederson Jose of Atalanta Bc gestures during the Serie A football match between Ac Milan and Atalanta BC . Atalanta Bc wins 3-2 over Ac Milan. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)LightRocket via Getty ImagesCentral midfield was always expected to be a priority for Manchester United this summer and so it has already proved with the Old Trafford club reportedly close to agreeing a deal for the signing of Ederson. The Brazilian will arrive in the Premier League after making a name for himself at Atalanta in Serie A.Michael Carrick needs more squad depth this coming season. Last season, United was only in domestic competitions, meaning Carrick had more time to prepare for league games. His players were fitter for those matches and that may have had an impact on the team’s strong finish to the campaign.BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester United at the Amex Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)Getty ImagesIn 2026/27, Manchester United will be back in the Champions League and so Carrick needs more options, particularly in the centre of the pitch after the departure of Casemiro. The veteran had been a key figure for United and so Ederson has joined the club with big boots to fill.At Atalanta, Ederson earned himself a reputation for being one of the best box-to-box operators in Serie A. He has played in the Italian top flight for a number of seasons and has proved himself at Champions League-level too. For the reported fee of $47m, the signing of Ederson appears to be good value.MORE...