Midfield has long been Manchester United's biggest headache. Casemiro's impending departure from Old Trafford, along with doubts about Manuel Ugarte's future, has put manager Michael Carrick in a position where he must quickly rebuild the midfield. In this context, Ederson from Atalanta has emerged as a quality solution to the Red Devils' persistent problems.
Overcoming limitations in ball movement capabilities.
Manchester United's biggest weakness in midfield last season was its lack of mobility and slow transitions. Manuel Ugarte, despite being a pure defensive midfielder with impressive tackling ability, proved limited in his ability to distribute the ball forward after regaining possession.
Ederson's arrival directly addresses this limitation thanks to his all-around playing style. Statistics show that the 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder is far superior to Ugarte in his ball-carrying ability. Specifically, Ederson averaged 14.8 forward passes per 90 minutes in Serie A last season, higher than Ugarte's 13.1.
Although this statistic is lower than Casemiro's 19.6, it mainly stems from Atalanta's tactical structure. The Italian team prioritizes possession and dominance, causing Ederson's passes to be more deliberate and precise rather than rushed like the fast-paced counter-attacking style often seen at Old Trafford.
Defensive thinking and creativity
Besides his ball-carrying ability, Ederson also provides much-needed creativity. He creates an average of 1.1 chances per 90 minutes, far exceeding Ugarte's 0.4. Ederson's role isn't to directly create chances – a task typically held by Bruno Fernandes – but rather to make "pre-assist passes," helping the Red Devils captain receive the ball in the most advantageous position.
In terms of defense, Ederson boasts an impressive 56.5% win rate in ground duels. Unlike Ugarte, who often rushes into risky direct challenges, the former Atalanta star's playing style relies heavily on his judgment, situational awareness, and intelligent covering.
Unleashing the potential of Kobbie Mainoo
In Michael Carrick's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Ederson promises to be the perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo. The presence of a midfielder capable of covering and carrying the ball from his own half will completely free up the young English talent. Mainoo will then have more space and freedom to push forward and participate in attacks – a role he excels at when relieved of the physical pressure of defensive duties.
However, the arrival of the Brazilian star is only the first step. Participating in the new version of the Champions League requires a sufficiently deep squad. If Ugarte leaves, Manchester United will still need more quality signings to ensure squad depth for a demanding season ahead.