Manchester United’s first summer signing, Ederson, has joined the Brazilian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Ederson’s Manchester United transfer is done and awaiting confirmation by the club, but that will have to wait because now the midfielder is heading to the World Cup.
Not originally in the squad, Carlo Ancelotti has called Ederson up following the injury to right-back Wesley, and now he has linked up with the squad.
United won’t be delighted with Ederson heading to the World Cup because it likely means he won’t be there for pre-season. But despite this, there are positives to be taken.
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Ederson will benefit from Matheus Cunha in Brazil camp
He might not play a whole lot, but Ederson could make his £34.5m price look cheap if he takes to the pitch for Brazil and then doesn’t look back with some stellar performances.
This would be a boost for United and the fans who will get to see Ederson in action, which could see the perception of this move improve.
The involvement in the Brazil camp will also aid Ederson in settling at Carrington once he does arrive.
Matheus Cunha is the primary reason for this, because he is United’s biggest dressing room influence and character, making him the perfect player to take Ederson under his wing and give him all the information on the club and living in Manchester.
Cunha was the first to welcome Ederson to the Brazil camp, and therefore, this might even be a better way for him to spend his summer before heading to United.
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Ederson could still be involved in Manchester United’s pre-season
Ederson is in an interesting situation, having joined up so late with Brazil.
He has been off for two weeks already, while there also remains a slim chance that he actually features, given he will effectively be Brazil’s fifth choice in midfield.
So he hopefully won’t be fatigued from playing in the tournament and instead decides to head straight to Carrington for pre-season at the end of July.
This is, unless Ederson is instead used at right-back, which would be a nightmare for United, given the running that Carlo Ancelotti wants from his full-backs.
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