Manchester United are edging closer to completing their first signing of the 2026 summer transfer window.
It was revealed last week that the Red Devils had reached a full agreement with Atalanta over a deal worth around £39 million for Brazilian midfielder Ederson.
There is obvious doubt among sections of the United fanbase over whether Ederson would be able to cope with the relentless intensity of the Premier League.
AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek knows exactly what Ederson brings after facing him multiple times in Serie A.
He has now delivered glowing praise for the incoming United midfielder.
He said (via Sky Sports): “The times we have played against each other he has been very physical.
“He is quick, strong and good on the ball.
“I think he is going to do really well and it is a good signing (for Man United).”
Ederson could silence the doubters
The concerns surrounding another signing arriving from Serie A are understandable, given United’s recent struggles with recruitment from Italy.
Rasmus Hojlund endured a difficult spell before eventually being shipped back to Napoli, while Joshua Zirkzee has also struggled badly to adapt to the demands of English football.
Ederson could become the player who finally breaks that disappointing trend.
Loftus-Cheek rose through the ranks at Chelsea and won two Premier League titles before ultimately securing a move to AC Milan in 2023.
That experience means he fully understands the physical and tactical standards required to survive in the English top flight.
His assessment of Ederson will undoubtedly carry serious weight.
Ederson is comfortable dropping between the centre-backs to receive possession, but he arguably looks even better when operating as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder.
The 26-year-old may not possess the same elite scanning ability or progressive passing range as Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton.
However, his energy and ability to cover huge distances could become incredibly important for the Red Devils.
He also excels at making late runs into the penalty area and remains a highly efficient short-to-mid-range distributor of the ball.
Ederson may not be viewed as a transformational superstar signing but he looks like far more than just another risky gamble by INEOS.
Stats from Fotmob.com
