Ederson says Man United move is 'almost all sorted' after World Cup debut with Brazil

Ederson has publicly confirmed that his move to Manchester United is on the verge of completion, telling Tuttosport the transfer is ‘practically almost all sorted’ — just hours after coming off the bench in Brazil’s 3-0 World Cup victory over Haiti on Friday night.

United agreed a deal with Serie A side Atalanta earlier this month to sign the 26-year-old midfielder, who is set to become the first signing of the Michael Carrick era at Old Trafford. The fee is structured at an initial €40.5 million (£35m), with a further €4.5 million (£3.8m) available in add-ons.

Ederson earned a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Wesley, and his debut on the international stage appeared to do nothing to dampen his excitement about the move. “I have to make the most of this moment,” he said. “I am here and it is a wonderful thing, something you must always live to the fullest.”

The signing addresses a pressing need in United’s engine room. Club stalwart Casemiro is set to depart when his contract expires at the end of June, leaving Carrick’s side short of proven options in central midfield heading into a summer that also brings additional European competition.

Ederson is not expected to be United’s only midfield recruit. Former United coach Rene Meulensteen has been vocal about the scale of the rebuild required. “United need to sign at least two, if not three midfielders this transfer window,” he said. “That’s the position where they have to really, really strengthen, especially with more competitions coming up.”

Elliot Anderson had been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but Meulensteen suggested the price tag may prove prohibitive. “Anderson might be out of reach for United this summer,” he said. “He’s had an outstanding season and gained interest from the biggest clubs, which just makes his price go up and up. I don’t think Man United will pay that for Anderson.”

Meulensteen reserved particular praise for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as an alternative option. “I’ve liked Adam Wharton for United for a while now, because he is so good on the ball, very calm under pressure. He finds any of those front five with one decisive pass, and he rips the opposition right open.”

West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes had also been on United’s radar, but Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly close to securing his signature, leaving Carrick’s recruitment team to look elsewhere for further reinforcements.