Ederson had a short cameo as Brazil lost to Norway to end their World Cup journey, and it said a lot about Man Utd’s rebuild.
So far, Ederson is the only player to have signed for Man Utd, not officially, but it looks like a formality, which the player himself has confirmed.
Neither Elliot Anderson nor Mateus Fernandes followed Ederson, and Man Utd’s attentions have turned towards Chelsea’s Andrey Santos.
Having watched Ederson’s cameo in Brazil’s last game at this World Cup, one point about their latest target is crystal clear.
Man Utd are looking at signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea… What is your verdict?
What is your advice to Ineos on the state of the transfer window so far?
Ederson flatters to deceive in Brazil cameo
Through no fault of Ederson, he is now under immense pressure to fly from the off at Old Trafford, just because Man Utd fans have nobody else to look forward to.
It’s why his cameos are analysed to death, and any mistake or good thing he does on the pitch is extrapolated to pass judgment on his career at the club that is yet to even begin.
Against Norway, there was more bad than good, especially in an area where United need the most from their midfielder.
He played 11 minutes against Norway, but was on the pitch for both the goals Brazil conceded.
He was dispossessed once and was also dribbled past, while his eight touches and three passes spoke of a midfielder who was completely bypassed by the opposition.
Ederson struggled to impose himself on the game as the Norwegian wave took hold, getting outshone by another Man Utd target, Sander Berge.
It proved a point about Man Utd’s midfield rebuild involving Andrey Santos.
Andrey Santos can’t finish Man Utd’s midfield rebuild
Ederson’s cameo proved one thing, which is that United’s midfield rebuild can’t finish with the (potential) signing of Andrey Santos.
Who has been Man Utd’s BEST and WORST signing in the £31m-40m price range? How will Ederson compare?
For starters, Santos is young and defensively suspect, and he’s not the ideal partner for Kobbie Mainoo due to his prolific playing style from midfield.
If Ederson needs time to get up to the pace of English football, then United are effectively leaving Mainoo on an island to start the season, be it along with Ederson or Santos.
They desperately need a third midfielder with proven quality who can slot alongside Mainoo and give both Ederson and Santos time to get up to speed.
Ederson clearly isn’t the player who United can build up as the first-choice partner for Mainoo, while Santos isn’t an ideal partner for Mainoo.
The midfield is screaming out for an injection of proven quality. Ederson’s cameo proved it.
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