Manchester United have been putting in the work to identify potential signings. One has really grabbed the attention this week.
Casemiro, despite a largely dreadful second season at Old Trafford, will certainly take some replacing.
Midfielders of his fierce tenacity, his Brazilian brand of brutality, do not grow on trees. Casemiro, at the peak of his Manchester United powers, was not merely a ball-winner. The Real Madrid icon did his fair share in the final third too, chipping in with 12 goals during his Old Trafford career so far.
As auditions go, Ederson’s peerless performance during Atalanta’s 3-0 Europa League final hammering of Bayer Leverkusen was pretty special.
Atalanta’s Ederson shows why Manchester United like him
It is testament to the boundless energy levels and the beautifully-rounded skill-sets of Ederson and Teun Koopmeiners that Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini felt confident enough to pit his midfield duo up against the Leverkusen trio of Granit Xhaka, Exequiel Palacios and the wonderful Florian Wirtz.
His faith, it’s fair to say, was rewarded. As Atalanta bullied and battered Leverkusen from pillar to post – wrecking Xabi Alonso’s 51-game unbeaten run in the process – Ederson typified a display of power, pragmatism and no shortage of purpose.
“Ederson has been class. He’s been absolutely first class,” Owen Hargreaves, a 2008 Champions League winner under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008, tellsTNT Sports (22 May, 8pm).
“Ederson looks like he’s got a double out there. He’s been everywhere.
For Hargreaves, Ederson’s brilliance was summed up late on, the former Brazil Under 20 international bursting into the penalty area from his deep-lying role when Atalanta were 2-0 up. Like the aforementioned Casemiro, who’s place he may yet take in the United engine room, Ederson’s qualities are not limited to the number six spot (Goal Brasil).
He’s scored seven goals this season, enhancing his reputation as one of Europe’s most complete midfield talents.
Watch out the Duracell Bunny. There may be a man after his job.
“Someone is going to pick him up you know. He looks tailor made for anyone’s midfield,” the former Man United ace added. “He’s like two players in there! He’s making me tired watching him.
“A defensive midfield player running in behind at 2-0 up? It’s unbelievable.”
The new Casemiro?
Ally McCoist, typically enthusiastic in his co-commentary role, singled out one ‘absolutely magnificent’ Ederson block in the 63rd minute, Atalanta keeping Leverkusen at arms’ length as Ademola Lookman’s stunning hat-trick earned the former Everton, Leicester and Fulham winger a place in footballing folklore.
Leverkusen were two games away from an unbeaten season, and a stunning treble. That was, however, until they came up against Atalanta, and Gasperini’s chest-thumping collection of bruisers and battlers.
Ederson, when Man United were linked at the start of 2024, was reportedly valued at around £17 million.
If the Red Devils do choose to raid Atalanta again – Rasmus Hojlund and Amad Diallo have already swapped Bergamo for England’s north west – this feels like a signing with ‘Bargain of the Summer’ all over it.