​Manchester United remain on schedule to seal the signing of Atalanta enforcer Ederson after a £39 million agreement was struck last month, and Andrea Pirlo has shared his assessment of the midfielder. Ederson, 26, was set to undergo his medical to complete the move to Old Trafford, but a late call-up from Carlo Ancelotti to Brazil’s World Cup squad came after an injury to Wesley. Interestingly, Wesley is primarily a right-back, and the Italian manager seems convinced that Ederson’s skill set and versatility could provide cover in an unfamiliar position.
Brazil’s campaign in North America ended in disappointment, with a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the last-16 on Sunday. Ederson came on as a substitute as the game stood at 0-0, but Erling Haaland’s brace left Brazil without a way back. In the days leading up to the match, there had been speculation that United would pull out of the deal with Atalanta amid sensational claims. Club sources swiftly dismissed these rumors, confirming that the move remained on course to be completed once Ederson’s international duties were concluded. With Brazil eliminated from the tournament—their worst performance in World Cup history—the São Paulo native is anticipated to undergo a new medical and then sign to officially become a Red Devil, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Having established himself as one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Serie A, Ederson remains a bit of an unknown to many in England, despite delivering two superb performances against Liverpool during Atalanta’s 2024 Europa League triumph. Yet one prominent voice who can offer a well-informed perspective is Pirlo, the legendary Italian maestro whose trophy-laden career includes stints with AC Milan and Juventus. The former midfielder believes Ederson will succeed in the Premier League. “I think he is a player suited for the Premier League,” Pirlo told the Daily Mail. “He is a dynamic runner and intense, and I think he can adapt very well there.”
Often, players moving from Italy to England struggle with the physical demands, a tendency seen in examples like United’s own underperforming striker Joshua Zirkzee when adjusting to a different league. However, Pirlo’s endorsement of Ederson—given his stature as a world-class figure in football—offers a hopeful forecast for the Brazilian’s time at Old Trafford. The prospect of a midfielder with such credibility succeeding in the Premier League is exciting for United supporters as the club looks to strengthen further.
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