Ederson will be the first signing of the Michael Carrick era. Let’s take a look back his predecessors’ early deals.
Ineos have made a statement by agreeing a deal early to sign Ederson. It is a good sign that new head coach Michael Carrick is being backed immediately.
United’s deal for Ederson is one of the club’s earliest transfers. It won’t be one of those summers where we begin pre-season without any new faces.
Ederson is only the start, and he is a decent one to kick off with. Here is a look at how every manager in the post-Ferguson era began in the transfer market.
Michael Carrick: Ederson
OK, while we feel really positive about the Ederson deal, it is too early to say whether it will be a success or not, before he has even been pictured in a Manchester United shirt.
What is your INSTANT REACTION to Manchester United’s deal for Ederson?
Ruben Amorim: Patrick Dorgu
Ruben Amorim’s first signing was Patrick Dorgu, bought from Italian side Lecce for £25 million in January 2025.
Dorgu produced his best form for Manchester United after Ruben Amorim was sacked, after some critical words from the Portuguese head coach.
At only 21, the Danish international is a versatile player who looks to be solid investment for United, even if he was not the immediate game changer Amorim probably needed.
Erik ten Hag: Tyrell Malacia
Erik ten Hag’s first signing was also a left-back, deciding to bring Tyrell Malacia in to compete with Luke Shaw.
Malacia’s first season after his £12 million move from Feyenoord was fairly impressive, then disaster struck. It appeared that United had managed to sign a left-back with more injury problems than Luke Shaw, and his final three seasons at the club were write-offs. He has now been released.
Ralf Rangnick: N/A
Despite proposing a handful of sensible suggestions, interim boss Ralf Rangnick was not backed with a single signing.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Dan James
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing was Welsh winger Dan James, signed from Championship side Swansea City.
James faded after a bright start, but still played an important role in Solskjaer’s system before being sold to accommodate major flop Jadon Sancho.
Who has been Man Utd’s BEST and WORST signing in the £31m-40m price range? How will Ederson compare?
Jose Mourinho: Eric Bailly
Jose Mourinho’s first signing at Manchester United was a £30 million deal for Ivory Coast international defender Eric Bailly.
Bailly looked to be an astute signing during his debut season for United, making 24 Premier League starts.
A succession of injuries saw him become less and less reliable and he was released in 2023. Bailly is now playing for Real Oviedo.
Louis van Gaal: Ander Herrera
Louis van Gaal’s first deal was a move for Ander Herrera, who joined the club in late June, while the Dutchman was still managing at World Cup 2014.
Herrera was a welcome gift for Van Gaal, and he was an excellent buy, also playing a key role under Mourinho and for a few months under Solskjaer.
United had attempted to sign Herrera the previous year, before the £29 million deal finally went through.
David Moyes: Marouane Fellaini
The one and only summer deal for David Moyes‘ first team was Marouane Fellaini, signed from his former club Everton for £27.5 million.
Fellaini was an awkward fit for United and failed to live up to fairly low expectations, until finding a role under Mourinho.
United also signed youth teamer Guillermo Varela early in the Moyes reign, he did not feature for the first team, while a deal for Wilfried Zaha went through after being agreed under Ferguson in January 2013.
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