Manchester United face a huge game against Lyon this week but summer transfer speculation is already beginning to really ramp up.
Ruben Amorim saw his Manchester United side draw 0-0 with Manchester City on Sunday in what will go down as one of the more forgettable Manchester derbies.
Gary Neville fumed over United’s approach, but Amorim has a chance to progress in the Europa League on Thursday.
Victory over Lyon would see United head into the semi-finals, and fans will certainly dream of reaching the final in Bilbao.
Ineos are budgeting for European football, and with United struggling in the Premier League, this is the last ache for United to qualify for Europe next season.
Winning the Europa League would send United into the Champions League next season, which would provide a welcome boost to Amorim’s squad-building plans.
Manchester United ready to move for Ederson
Amorim would be forgiven for feeling that this United squad is in no way ready for the Champions League.
The money and prestige on offer would surely aid his recruitment drive, though, and one signing may already be in mind.
Give Me Sport claim that United are ‘ready to sign’ Atalanta midfielder Ederson if the Europa League trophy can be secured.
It’s suggested that Atalanta want £52million for Ederson, but United seemingly need Champions League football in order to tempt him.
Amorim is understood to want a new midfielder, and Ederson appears to be a prime target to play alongside Manuel Ugarte.
Reports ahead of the January transfer window suggested that Ederson is loved by some inside United, though a deal always seemed unlikely.
March saw the rumours return, with the Italian media claiming that United are ready to pay £50million for Ederson.
That is pretty much the price Atalanta are demanding, and with Ederson’s name not going away, he figures to be prominent in United’s thinking.
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| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 11 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 39 | 35 | 4 | 43 |
| 12 |  BrentfordBrentford | 31 | 12 | 6 | 13 | 51 | 47 | 4 | 42 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United | 31 | 10 | 8 | 13 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 38 |
| 14 |  TottenhamTottenham | 31 | 11 | 4 | 16 | 58 | 45 | 13 | 37 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 31 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 33 | 38 | -5 | 35 |
Ederson fits the bill for United
Ederson has been hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi and he has been brilliant for Atalanta.
The 25-year-old has proven himself to be an all-round midfielder in Italy, possessing the defensive ability to protect his back line in a holding role.
Ederson can also contribute going forward and has often been deployed as a box-to-box midfielder under Gian Piero Gasperini.
Bayer Leverkusen struggled against Ederson in the Europa League final last year, whilst the Italian media hailed Ederson for dominating Juventus in March.
Some United fans may be hesitant about buying from Atalanta given Rasmus Hojlund’s up-and-down time at Old Trafford.
Ederson is more of a finished product, though, and his rounded skillset in midfield could make him the ideal partner for Ugarte in a two-man midfield.
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