Ruben Loftus-Cheek says Ederson will “do just fine” at Manchester United, endorsing the incoming £39m midfielder after facing him during Atalanta’s Serie A run and reflecting on how physical and ball-ready he is.
Manchester United supporters will get their first hint of what Ederson might bring before he even steps into Old Trafford. Ruben Loftus-Cheek—who has gone up against the Brazilian in Serie A—has backed him to succeed after United agreed a £39million deal with Atalanta.
Ederson is 26 and is set to officially put pen to paper at Old Trafford in early July, when FIFA’s international transfer clearing system opens. It’s Michael Carrick’s first signing since taking charge on a permanent basis as United’s manager, coming in after the expiration of Casemiro’s contract.
For Loftus-Cheek, the case starts with how Ederson handled real pressure when they met. He last faced Ederson on May 10, with United’s new man starring as Atalanta beat AC Milan 3-2. In that game. Ederson scored and assisted—an output Loftus-Cheek highlighted before turning to what United fans can expect from his day-to-day presence.
Speaking to Sky Sports at the Monaco Grand Prix, Loftus-Cheek described Ederson as “quick, strong, good on the ball,” adding: “He’ll do just fine. The times we’ve played against each other, he’s been very physical. I think he’ll do really well – he’s a good signing.”
United aren’t just bringing in any midfielder, though. Ederson is described as versatile—able to play as a No6 or operate as a box-to-box No8. During his time at Atalanta, he has made 138 appearances and scored 13 goals, figures that underline why the fee is already being framed as a statement move.
There’s also another urgent thread hanging over United’s summer: Manuel Ugarte is also expected to leave the Red Devils this summer. With Casemiro now out of contract and Ederson on the way. the club’s midfield reshaping is moving quickly—exactly the kind of transition Carrick is trying to land cleanly in his first window.
By early July, Ederson’s deal will be official once FIFA’s international transfer clearing system opens. Until then, Loftus-Cheek’s message is direct: he believes the physical edge, speed and ball quality he saw across those Atalanta matchups will translate straight into life at United.
Manchester United Ederson Atalanta Ruben Loftus-Cheek Michael Carrick Casemiro Manuel Ugarte FIFA international transfer clearing system Serie A AC Milan
£39m seems steep but if he’s “physical” then cool I guess.
Wait so Ederson is a midfielder?? I thought Ederson was the goalie at Man City lol. Either way Loftus-Cheek saying he’ll do fine like… who even asked?
Man I swear transfers always get delayed by FIFA stuff, then suddenly he’s “official” like a week later. Also isn’t Atalanta like… always selling players? So why are we paying 39m to get the same dude out of nowhere.
I don’t care if he’s quick strong or whatever, United still needs to stop conceding. Carrick first signing and Casemiro’s gone… that’s gonna be a mess. And the Ugarte thing too, like are they trying to rebuild or just buying everyone’s leftovers?