Ederson’s World Cup Call Delays Manchester United Transfer

Manchester United’s first major signing of the Michael Carrick era is effectively in place. They just might have to wait to see him in red.

Atalanta midfielder Ederson has received a late call-up to Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad, a twist that is set to nudge back the final steps of his move to Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old was initially left out of the Selecao group for the tournament in North America, only to be drafted in after Roma right-back Wesley suffered injury. It is a dramatic late promotion for a player who has been on the fringes of the national setup, with three caps to his name and none since 2025.

For United, the timing is awkward, not alarming.

The club have agreed a deal with Atalanta worth an initial £35 million, positioning Ederson as the first signing under Carrick’s permanent stewardship. The Brazilian has been identified as a key piece in United’s midfield rebuild following Casemiro’s departure, a younger defensive anchor to reshape the centre of the pitch.

United want the transfer wrapped up as quickly as possible, the paperwork squared away before Brazil’s campaign gathers full speed. The expectation is clear: the deal will be confirmed, but any meaningful involvement in pre-season will have to wait until Ederson returns from World Cup duty.

His call-up also swells United’s presence at the tournament. The club already have 12 players involved in the 2026 World Cup; once Ederson’s move is rubber-stamped, that number climbs to 13, underlining just how heavily invested their summer is in what happens across the Atlantic.

For Carrick, the equation is simple. He is building a new midfield around a player who, by the time he walks through the doors at Carrington, could arrive not just as a new signing from Serie A, but as a World Cup performer for Brazil.