Manchester United's £35m midfield gamble amid Ugarte setback

Manchester United have agreed a £35 million transfer for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, though his medical will be postponed until after Brazil’s World Cup campaign and a mandatory three‑week rest period. The deal follows United’s intent to add at least two or three new midfielders this summer.

Manchester United’s midfield concerns stem from Manuel Ugarte’s £50.8 million arrival from Paris St‑Germain in 2024, which has not lived up to expectations. His last appearance was a start in the 13 April home defeat to Leeds United, and a World Cup injury now places his wellbeing at the centre of United’s plans.

United had shown interest in Elliot Anderson but abandoned talks when the combined transfer fee and wages required to secure him from Nottingham Forest proved prohibitive. Negotiations with West Ham United over Portugal international Mateus Fernandes have stalled, with Tottenham Hotspur also expressing interest in the former Southampton player.

The club also rates Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who travelled with England’s pre‑World Cup training camp despite missing selection in Thomas Tuchel’s squad. A bid for Cameroon international Carlos Baleba was rejected by Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.

The postponement of Ederson’s medical, caused by his late call‑up to Brazil’s World Cup squad, means United must wait until the tournament concludes before finalising the transfer. Should Ugarte’s injury limit his availability, it could constrain the budget United has allocated for additional midfield signings.

United remain committed to bolstering their midfield, targeting two or three new players to address depth concerns. The timing of Ederson’s arrival and the resolution of other negotiations will shape the squad’s composition for the upcoming season.