Ederson getting called up for the World Cup by Brazil was bittersweet for Man Utd’s planning, but Michael Carrick will be watching him very closely now.
The signing of Ederson had a weird narrative around it, separate from the usual excitement and anticipation that follows every new signing.
There were concerns around his playing style, how his qualities would translate to the Premier League, and now a lack of adaptation period after going to the World Cup.
However, Michael Carrick will watch with extreme interest what he’s now doing in Brazil training. It could change everything.
Ederson has been called into Brazil’s World Cup squad – What is your INSTANT REACTION
Ederson’s new position in Brazil setup
A key doubt about Ederson was about his profile, as he has a good engine on him, but apparently struggles to impose himself with the ball.
In a high-intensity league in England, that has given Man Utd fans flashbacks of Manuel Ugarte, hence the trepidation.
However, what if he changes position to move to a place where his engine is best utilised, minus the playmaking responsibilities?
That’s what Carlo Ancelotti seems to be thinking as well, as Brazilian outlet GE Globo report Ederson is being deployed at right-back in the team’s training sessions.
On one hand, it makes sense, since Ederson replaced Wesley in the squad, who is a right-back.
On the other hand, why didn’t Ancelotti simply call up another right-back in Wesley’s place? He has seen something in Ederson that Carrick will watch closely.
Ederson can be a brilliant inverted full-back for Michael Carrick
In Carrick’s style of play, a lopsided full-back often tucks inside to form a back three, while a front five is formed with the other overlapping full-back.
Ederson thinks highly of his qualities – Which Man Utd player does he remind YOU of?
A physical monster who dominates both boxes. Any past or present Man Utd player comes to mind?
Ederson can be the perfect left-sided full-back who inverts into the midfield when United have possession, forming a 2-3-5 structure in attack.
As Ancelotti tested, he can even be used as a steady hand at right-back, where he can use his engine to get up and down the pitch and keep things ticking over.
You can’t teach work rate and stamina, and Ederson has loads of both, which makes him a malleable player, capable of being fashioned into numerous roles.
The World Cup just became even more interesting for Carrick if Ederson gets some outings as a right-back.
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