Ederson’s signing becoming official is a matter of when, not if, but the reception hasn’t been entirely positive.
There are question marks over how Ederson will translate his game to a higher pace in English football, and also about his fit in the Man Utd squad.
There’s the fact that Ederson isn’t a Brazil regular either, missing out on the World Cup squad this summer, plus the fee, considering his contract expires next summer.
Having said all that, Man Utd fans‘ worries will be calmed somewhat because he has already passed the toughest test for a Man Utd player to become a fan favourite.
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?
When Ederson bossed Liverpool at Anfield
Ask Diego Forlan, and he’ll tell you that the single greatest way to endear yourself to the Old Trafford faithful is to simply boss Liverpool.
Forlan is a cult hero at United simply for powering an iconic win against Liverpool, which is what Ederson has already done.
Granted, he’s not done that for Man Utd (yet), but that game serves as a template for how his style could translate to English opposition.
It happened on April 11, 2024, when Atalanta came to Anfield to play the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Needless to say, Liverpool were favourites, despite Klopp putting up a rotated side, since their Anfield record was fearsome.
Nobody gave Ederson the script, as, alongside Ruggeri and Koopmeiners, the Brazilian bossed the middle of the park with his trademark energy and driving runs.
He showed the best of his game, which is his engine, as he expertly tackled Liverpool’s fluid movement and let his team’s attackers thrive.
He constantly shuttled wide to stop transitions, and showed more than enough press-resistant skills against a well-drilled pressing machine in Klopp’s Liverpool.
Now the Ederson deal is agreed… WHO SHOULD BE MAN UTD’S NEXT TARGET?
Let us know who should be signing number two…
It was the type of all-action midfield display that has come to define Ederson, and he’s also become the victim of the same.
Due to his playing style, Ederson rarely makes the headlines, but the managers know that selecting him sets the rest of his teammates up for success.
That is exactly what he will be asked to do at United as well. He’s not coming as a marquee player who will drag the club back to glory days.
What he will do is empower the players tasked with doing that, and become the secure and energetic foundation upon which a successful team is built.
As far as his experience goes, how many potential United signings can say they bossed Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield before signing for United?
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
