Revealing why Manchester United is interested in Ederson: averaging 12 kilometers covered per game, his playing style suits the Premier League and offers good value for money.

Manchester United is just one step away from signing Ederson, and that step is entirely up to them. According to various sources, if the Red Devils decide to make a move, the 26-year-old Brazilian is already ready to pack his bags and head to Manchester!

On Fabrizio Romano’s personal channel, Matteo Moretto said: "Ederson asked not to play in the last round of Serie A because he knows he is just one step away from joining Manchester United. Ederson is very happy about this transfer and is ready to pack his luggage and begin this new journey. However, the deal is not yet fully completed, and some details still need to be finalized."

Romano himself confirmed that Manchester United’s internal decision is still pending: whether to push forward and finalize the signing of Ederson or to choose another midfielder. Internal discussions among the management are ongoing, and no clear green light has been given yet, but an agreement could be reached at any time. A deal with the player himself has already been reached, and verbal negotiations are underway with Atalanta. Ederson is currently in Rio de Janeiro waiting for Manchester United’s decision.

Last week, Manchester United sent a delegation to Italy to discuss transfer window arrivals and departures, including Ederson and other players. Atalanta’s new head coach and sporting director are expected to be appointed in the coming days. Once that is decided, formal negotiations for Ederson can begin.

Manchester United has not yet decided whether to actually sign Ederson, but the club wants to first complete negotiations with the player and his club to have everything ready if needed. Veteran transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Carrick has actually told Manchester United’s hierarchy that he wants Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United to be his first signing, rather than Ederson.

Tonali is a top candidate among Manchester United’s first-tier midfield targets, while Ederson is in the second tier, alongside players like Matheus Fernandes of West Ham United. Depending on price, both could also drop into the lowest-cost third tier. There are also two lower-cost options from the Championship: Carrick’s former player Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough and Shea Charles of Southampton.

Many Manchester United fans are not optimistic about Ederson because he comes from Serie A, and the Red Devils’ previous signings from Italy—Darmian, Højlund, and Zirkzee—have not truly succeeded. Serie A is considered to have a slower pace, and players there are thought to struggle adapting to the speed of the Premier League.

If Ederson eventually joins Manchester United, his specific role and standing will depend on which other midfielders may come in. But one thing is certain: he is a player suited to partner with Manchester United’s 21-year-old academy talent Kobbie Mainoo.

Ederson’s former coach at Corinthians, Thiago Nunes, declared that the Atalanta player "was born for the Premier League." Ederson has two major strengths: first, he possesses excellent physical attributes, capable of running tirelessly in midfield, shuttling back and forth, and maintaining the tempo of the game; second, he has a very strong mental attitude, a clear understanding of his role, and is eager to engage in battles with opponents, showing fighting spirit and aggression.

One of the doubts fans have about Ederson is that La Liga giants Atlético Madrid had also agreed terms with him but ultimately did not complete the deal. That was because Atalanta’s asking price is believed to be between €45 million and €50 million (£38.9 million to £43.1 million). Atlético firmly refused and turned to Wolverhampton Wanderers, who had been relegated from the Premier League, to pursue João Gomes.

English media say that one reason Manchester United is willing to bring in Ederson is that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has the resources to meet Atalanta’s demands, meaning there is no competition for his signature. Moreover, Manchester United’s football director, Jason Wilcox, is an admirer of Ederson.

Ratcliffe’s Ineos management team has tended to favor signing players with Premier League experience in the past two years, and Ederson has never played in England. However, he has one trait that makes United willing to make an exception. Ederson stands out among other midfield candidates because of his remarkable coverage and ability to maintain high intensity fitness.

In the 2024/25 Champions League, Ederson averaged up to 12 kilometers covered per 90 minutes. The Premier League is known for its high intensity and physical demands, but Ederson, as one of the players with the widest coverage in Europe, is considered capable of thriving in the Premier League. His advantages are thought to include outstanding athleticism, tenacious fighting spirit, and a defense-first mentality, making him an ideal midfield partner for Mainoo.

Ederson’s price, attitude, and salary level also make him suitable as a rotational midfielder. Other statistics show that his ground duel success rate ranks in the top 13% across Europe’s top five leagues, winning 2.29 duels per 90 minutes. In terms of progressive carries for his position, he also ranks in the top 14%, completing 1.57 forward dribbles per 90 minutes.