Manchester United are reportedly paying increased attention to Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson ahead of a potential summer move to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils are currently 13th in the league with just 22 points after 17 matchweeks and lost 3-0 against Bournemouth last Sunday at home for a second consecutive season.
Despite his team's poor position, boss Ruben Amorim deserves lots of leniency considering he has inherited a fundamentally flawed squad from Erik ten Hag, who was sacked in October.
While United undoubtedly must improve their attack considering 14 top-flight sides have scored more than their 21 league goals, there is an argument to be made that a more stable midfield would allow the team's creative players to shine.
According to Tuttomercatoweb, United are stepping up their interest in midfielder Ederson ahead of the summer transfer window, and also say that the Brazilian could cost nearly £50m.
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Ederson assessed
Atalanta have enjoyed a remarkable season in Italy, with the team currently first in Serie A with 40 points from 17 games, and Ederson has featured in all 17 matches, starting 16 times.
Primarily operating in either a box-to-box or more defensive role, the 25-year-old is an all-action footballer, capable of winning the ball back and covering ground at speed.
Atalanta often play aggressively, with their players instructed to tightly mark their opponents across the pitch, and Ederson has been vital for the Italian side from a defensive perspective.
The Brazilian excels when given the freedom to carry the ball forward, and it should be noted that no other player in the Atalanta team has attempted more than his 705 carries in Serie A.
If the Red Devils were to sign Ederson, utilising him in a more restricted defensive midfield role could perhaps limit someone of his talents.
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Would Ugarte and Ederson work together?
Ederson has not always been given responsibility in early phases of build-up at Atalanta, with the likes of Marten de Roon trusted to keep possession of the ball in deeper areas of the pitch.
De Roon has taken 295 touches in his defensive third in Serie A compared to Ederson's total of 236 touches, though Ederson has taken the second most overall touches of any player in the squad.
United midfielder Manuel Ugarte is a monstrous ball winner but prefers to play safely when in possession, so while he could form a formidable partnership with Ederson out of possession, there may be issues with the ball.
Kobbie Mainoo has shown great promise in the early stages of his career as an excellent dribbler in tight spaces, but he is yet to demonstrate an ability to act as a volume passer and tempo controller.
While Ederson would no doubt add significantly to Amorim's team, his signing might be maximised best if he was not the only midfield signing.
Lewis Nolan
