As summer 2026 approached, it was clear Manchester United had to overhaul their midfield.
Manuel Ugarte had failed to step up and prove himself worthy of a key role, while Casemiro was leaving after the club and player opted to part ways.
Midfield overhaul
A triple midfield swoop was therefore the way forward if Michael Carrick was to have an engine room he could rely on in his quest to take United back to the top.
The Red Devils quickly moved for their long-term target Ederson and agreed a transfer with Atalanta for the Brazilian midfielder.
But while the clubs agreed on this transfer in early June, the midfielder did not complete his move immediately.
A late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad, replacing injured right-back Wesley, meant he could not undergo his United medical straight away.
He was therefore allowed to link up with the Selecao first, with his medical scheduled for later.
Failed medical
Once Brazil bowed out of the World Cup, the 27-year-old finally had his medical, and that was where the transfer collapsed.
During the medical tests, United spotted a concerning, underlying knee issue, and even after repeating the tests, the same problem cropped up. INEOS consequently felt it unwise to proceed and called the transfer off.
Now, having only heard this story from a Man United perspective, fans can finally hear Ederson’s side, as the midfielder has opened up about the incident.
Ederson speaks
Speaking ahead of Atalanta’s Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel Aviv tomorrow, Ederson addressed the failed transfer directly:
“I honestly do not know what happened. I always had interest from other clubs, and I could have gone to another English side. The tests went well; I do not know what changed. I have been with Atalanta for four years and always played.
“I could have just waited to see what happened, but the great rapport with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract.”
Ederson’s admission will certainly raise questions over why the transfer collapsed, though for Manchester United fans, it hardly matters at this stage.
With Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Carlos Baleba already in the fold, INEOS appear to have assembled a formidable engine room regardless; it is just unfortunate the Samba star is not part of the 20-time English champions new-look midfield.
Featured image by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
