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Analysis
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'I've been blessed' - €40m star hits back after failed Man Utd medical
Atalanta midfielder Ederson has confirmed that he has “always been very blessed” when it comes to injuries, despite his failed medical at Manchester United over the summer.
The Brazil international was on the verge of joining Michael Carrick’s side as a replacement for the departing Casemiro and it’s understood that a €40 million transfer was fully agreed between all parties in June.
However, his medical, which took place after Brazil’s World Cup exit, flagged up a knee injury and Man Utd opted to pull the plug on the deal, with the club eventually bolstering their central midfield roster with the signings of Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans before the end of Transfer Deadline Day.
Meanwhile, following his failed move to Old Trafford, Ederson signed a new contract at Atalanta, valid until 2031, and he has now become club captain in Bergamo.
Opening up on his injury troubles over the summer, Ederson told Brazilian outlet Trivela: “I'm very well, as I've always been, actually. Physically, I can't complain. I've always been very blessed in that regard, I've always been well.
“The injuries that affected my call-ups were minor. They kept me out for a few days, and I was just unlucky that they happened very close to the call-ups. That's why I always came back very quickly. I've never had any kind of injury that kept me out for a long time.”
Despite Man Utd’s concerns over a potential knee injury, Ederson has started all four of Atalanta’s Serie A matches so far this season, scoring in their 2-1 defeat against AS Roma on Saturday.
“I always spoke a lot with the club, I have an excellent relationship here,” he added.
“Whenever this happened, with enquiries and offers, I asked what Atalanta’s intention was, what the project was, whether they were thinking of selling me, and they never thought about selling me.”
Will Man Utd rekindle interest in Ederson?
While a deal to sign Ederson was fully agreed over the summer, Man Utd ultimately decided against bringing him to Old Trafford and it’s highly unlikely that a transfer will take place in 2027 either.
Ederson has committed his future to Atalanta, while Man Utd no longer need to strengthen their midfield having added Baleba, Santos and Tielemans to Carrick’s first-team squad.
Instead, the Red Devils are expected to prioritise the signing of a new left-back next summer, with a central defender potentially on their radar too amid the uncertain long-term future of Harry Maguire.