Why Michael Carrick wanted Ederson to solve Man Utd's biggest problem in midfield

‘A floor-raiser, not a galactico’ – Ederson will improve United next season (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United are ready to begin their midfield rebuild with the signing of Atalanta star Ederson.

At the start of what could be a very busy summer at Old Trafford , the club have moved quickly to get a deal for the Brazilian over the line with a £35million move all but confirmed.

United are expected to sign at least two new midfielders this summer. Casemiro’s departure will leave a gaping hole in midfield where Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are the only senior options – with the Uruguay international another who could move on.

Elliot Anderson and Aurelien Tchouameni are believed to be United’s top targets on a shortlist that also includes Mateus Fernandes, Adam Wharton , Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali.

Ederson perhaps lacks the sparkle of some of those names and United’s recent history of signing players from Serie A is not a wholly reassuring one with Sofyan Amrabat, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to light up the Premier League.

Ederson’s omission from the Brazil squad heading to the World Cup this summer might also be regarded as cause for concern while sceptics might also point to the fortunes of Tijjani Reijnders, who arrived at Manchester City from AC Milan last summer with a reputation of being one of Serie A’s best midfielders. After a bright start, he started just five Premier League matches in 2026.

But with a return to the Champions League waiting next season, United need bodies. Ederson may prove to be a sensible signing rather than a spectacular one with the 26-year-old possessing some qualities they are in desperate need of.

Ederson has the engine United need in midfield (Picture: Getty Images)

Ederson won’t be a midfielder to set the tempo in midfield but could be an ideal partner for whoever is tasked with that role. While perhaps not a natural progressive passer of the ball, he moves it efficiently and effectively, often onto the player better equipped to prise a team open. Ederson won’t be the most ambitious player with the ball at his feet but with Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and possibly more new additions available to do that, he doesn’t need to be.

‘Ederson has been one of Serie A’s most dependable engines for four seasons,’ journalist Andrea Locorotondo of FootItalia told Metro .

‘This is not a marquee, headline-grabbing capture. It is something arguably more valuable for a side chasing four competitions next term: a floor-raiser.

‘He is a high-volume passer who constantly shows between the lines, takes the ball off his centre-backs and recycles it safely, exactly the circulation a possession-minded Michael Carrick side wants.’

Ederson adds ‘genuine steel in midfield (Picture: Getty)

United have lacked legs in midfield for some time and the opposition’s ability to stride through the middle of the park was still a problem under Carrick last season. Ederson’s presence could help solve that and as an intelligent ball winner, offers an upgrade on the limited Ugarte.

‘Defensively, he adds genuine steel,’ Locorotondo continued. ‘His game is built on interceptions and recoveries rather than crunching challenges, reading danger before it develops and protecting the channels when full-backs push on. Allied to deceptive upper-body strength in duels and a powerful carrying stride that lets him drive from deep into space, he gives United a complete, tireless presence.’

‘I know that he’s a top midfielder,’ said former Brazil international and Tottenham star Sandro, speaking to Metro via casino.net . ‘I know that he’s strong. He has that physical ability to play in the Premier League and I know that a few other clubs wanted to sign him from the Premier League as well.

Ederson’s strengths compared to those of Casemiro and Ugarte (Picture: Andrea Locorotondo)

‘I think he has the quality to build the game and he has the strength to take players out, because he’s that strong. I know he can be box-to-box, but he can be the midfielder that will help control the game. He can pass well, he can tackle, he can be that player that’s strong in the middle.’

While there have been plenty of calls for a more high profile signing in midfield, United already have two players who will be expected to start almost every game next season in Mainoo and Fernandes. It is hoped Ederson will be perfect foil for those more creative options.

‘The tactical case is the real reason United pounced,’ Locorotondo said. ‘Ederson complements a Bruno Fernandes–Kobbie Mainoo axis beautifully: he keeps the ball ticking in the “play-in-triangles” structure Carrick favours, freeing more creative players ahead of him.

Ederson will not play at the World Cup (Picture: Getty)

‘He is more mobile than Casemiro, plays higher up the pitch and recovers almost as effectively and he is better than Ugarte at very nearly everything, offering far more on the ball.

‘He also doubles as a long-ball outlet, having repeatedly found Atalanta’s wing-backs in behind. With a four-competition season looming, that blend of availability, intensity and quality makes him the ideal squad-deepening buy of a player who lifts United’s baseline rather than reinventing it.’

There are limitations to his game. Ederson will not be the man to pick through a low block and will not offer the aerial threat that became Casemiro’s forte in Manchester. With just three goals last season, he won’t be adding many goals.