Michael Carrick’s side will return to Champions League action next season after climbing twelve places in the Premier League standings between the 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns.

Manchester United, who officially appointed Carrick as their permanent manager in late May, are preparing for a major overhaul across the squad this summer.

The Red Devils, who are on the verge of confirming a replacement for experienced midfielder Casemiro, have received a timely boost in their pursuit of a Serie A standout.

The Atalanta midfielder, a fellow Brazilian like Casemiro, was identified last week by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano as Manchester United’s first addition of the summer window.

As reported by ESPN Brazil’s SportsCenter and Brazilian transfer journalist Jorge Nicola, a meeting was scheduled for yesterday to finalise the transfer.

The same report echoed Romano’s update, describing Ederson as being effectively an ex-Atalanta player.

Nicola spoke with Andre Cury, Ederson’s representative, who confirmed that the total deal value will exceed the previously suggested £35 million, reaching up to £40 million with easily achievable performance bonuses.

Only minor contractual details remain, which are expected to be settled in today’s meeting, allowing Ederson to be officially unveiled as a Manchester United player for the upcoming season.

The timing also works perfectly for United, as the 26-year-old midfielder received a significant World Cup call-up boost on Monday.

Ederson will now travel to North America with Brazil’s World Cup 2026 squad following an injury to Roma’s Wesley Franca, who suffered an adductor issue during the friendly against Egypt.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti — ranked 17th on FourFourTwo’s list of the greatest managers of all time — has shown great confidence in Ederson by including him in the squad.

While Franca is primarily a right-back for both club and country, Ancelotti’s decision to bring in Ederson instead of another full-back was based on the belief that the midfielder’s versatility would offer greater value to the national team setup.

Following his World Cup campaign under Ancelotti’s leadership, Ederson is expected to join Manchester United on a four-year contract, marking the beginning of a new chapter at the highest level of football.