Manchester United have agreed to sign Ederson from Atalanta. Yes, it is going ahead.
There is no doubt that Manchester United fans have high expectations. This is ingrained into supporters from the club’s rich and successful history. A lack of success in the post-Fergie era has heightened anxiety among the fanbase.
While Ineos’ successful transfer business last summer gave cause to ‘trust the process’, the brittle confidence of supporters has been tested over the last fortnight.
United have seen big money midfielders sign for City and Tottenham (yes really), and there is a split perception about what this means.
- On one hand, United are being smart not to overpay for players in a ridiculously inflated market.
- Alternately, United are being accused of taking the cheap approach – simply not paying what is required to compete at the top level nowadays.
This has also played a part in skewing the perception of a deal that United have agreed, the £35 million move to sign Ederson.
What is your INSTANT REACTION to Manchester United’s deal for Ederson?
Ederson move is on, he needs to be backed
Ederson is set to join Manchester United after he completes the final part of his medical. It is expected to be a formality.
During the past 24 hours, there was speculation from foreign journalists that Manchester United could pull out of the deal.
Worryingly, this was greeted with some cheer from fans on X, who urged United to cancel the transfer.
It came on the same day Ederson came off the bench late for Brazil in their World Cup exit at the hands of Norway.
This was the perfect storm for complaints against the Brazilian, with fans expressing concern about the incoming midfielder.
There is reason behind this. United face a pivotal summer and the club expected game-changing signings. There was nothing game-changing about his World Cup cameo performances – if you want to place stock in that.
More poignantly, United fans have learned to have a deep distrust of signings from Serie A, after poor showings from Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund since their switches.
The club’s last midfield signing was Manuel Ugarte, and there are concerns among fans whether he will disappoint in the same way.
United’s deals in the same price range have also struggled to succeed.
Honestly, there is an iota of truth in the concerns. But it is now time to back the player.
Who has been Man Utd’s BEST and WORST signing in the £31m-40m price range? How will Ederson compare?
I don’t like the negativity
I don’t like the negativity that has begun to cloud the Ederson deal at all.
The transfer could be a bargain move for a midfielder who was being touted in the £60 million range 12 months ago.
The concerns are not fair on Ederson. What United supporters are really worried about is the lack of direction with the lack of star signings, not the addition of a squad player.
We should be glad that one deal is practically done. Not bemoaning the fact that the Brazil international is set to sign.
Ederson will soon be confirmed as a Manchester United player, and he needs to feel the support.
Writing him off and creating a toxic environment will not help Ederson perform. Instead it makes it even harder.
I only hope that by time Ederson arrives to begin his pre-season, United have other deals completed too, and the developing hysteria has calmed down a little.
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