MU's new recruit Ederson likened to a modern football 'Pac-Man'

Manchester United has come to terms with Atalanta for the acquisition of midfielder Ederson, with a fee reaching €45 million. This transfer not only addresses the club's midfield issues after Casemiro left but also secures one of Serie A's most versatile midfielders from recent seasons.

According to multiple sources, Ederson will join Old Trafford for a fixed fee of €40.5 million, plus €4.5 million in add-ons. The Brazilian midfielder has agreed personal terms on a contract running until 2030, with an option for an additional year. The deal is expected to be completed after the 26-year-old passes a medical exam in early July.

This is seen as a key move by Manchester United in their squad rebuild. Despite interest from several top European clubs, Ederson prioritized choosing Old Trafford. The fact that his contract with Atalanta runs only until 2027 also helped the English club secure a more manageable price compared to earlier speculated figures.

From an unknown player in Brazil

Few know that less than five years ago, Ederson was still a name unfamiliar to most European fans.

The first to spot his special potential was Walter Sabatini—one of Italy's most renowned sporting directors. In the winter of 2022, when he took over Salernitana in an almost hopeless relegation battle, Sabatini had only the last 10 days of the transfer window to save the club.

Statistical models at the time gave Salernitana just a 7% chance of staying in Serie A. However, Sabatini didn't place absolute faith in data. He trusted his own eyes.

During a Corinthians match, the veteran sporting director was captivated by a young midfielder. Surrounded by opponents, this player received the ball, turned, sprinted forward, and immediately regained possession after losing it.

"I'm not impressed by ordinary things. I want to see something special. And I saw it," Sabatini once shared.

Just one play was enough for him to make a decision.

Salernitana signed Ederson and gambled on Sabatini's instinct. That bet quickly paid off. The Brazilian midfielder became a key factor in the team's remarkable escape from relegation.

Only four months later, Atalanta agreed to pay €23 million to bring him to Bergamo.

The turning point named Gasperini

If Sabatini was the one who discovered Ederson, then Gian Piero Gasperini was the one who turned him into one of Serie A's finest midfielders.

Under the Italian tactician's guidance, Ederson developed comprehensively in both defense and attack. He became a modern box-to-box midfielder with strong tackling, effective ball recovery, yet retaining the softness and flair characteristic of Brazilian football.

The 2023-2024 season marked a major step in Ederson's career. He was a standout figure in Atalanta's journey to winning the Europa League.

At Anfield, the Brazilian midfielder performed brilliantly as Atalanta beat Liverpool 3-0 away. A month later, the Bergamo side stunned again by defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Dublin final to claim the trophy.

Although Ademola Lookman scored all three goals in that historic match, many inside Atalanta still considered Ederson the most influential player in the team.

"In terms of physique, ball recovery, and timing of entering the box, Ederson is an extraordinary player. He's capable of playing for any top team in Europe," Gasperini once remarked.

A turbulent season

Nevertheless, the past season wasn't easy for Ederson.

Atalanta entered a transition period after Gasperini's departure, who had led the club for nearly a decade. Coaching instability caused the team to lose consistency and finish seventh in Serie A.

Ederson himself struggled due to a meniscus injury in his right knee. Arthroscopic surgery forced him to miss the early part of the season and significantly affected his form.

That's also why the midfielder wasn't named by coach Carlo Ancelotti in Brazil's final squad for the 2026 World Cup, despite once being considered a strong candidate for a midfield spot.

However, those difficulties haven't diminished Ederson's value on the transfer market.

"Pac-Man" of the midfield

Analysts often compare Ederson to the famous Pac-Man character from video games.

This nickname comes from his tireless movement. Ederson can appear at every hot spot on the pitch, recover balls, challenge, support defense, and immediately join attacks within seconds.

"Ederson has better ball retention than his compatriot Casemiro, frequently plays short passes to teammates, and can push the ball forward to advancing players. Ederson is the type of player coaches love—he patrols the entire field between the two boxes. He may not always make the headlines, but he's a crucial link in the overall team play, allowing teammates around him to thrive," said Mark Carey, analyst for The Athletic.

Experts often liken Ederson to the iconic Pac-Man character from video games.

At 26, the Brazilian midfielder is entering his prime career stage. His high-energy, combative playing style is also considered well-suited to the Premier League environment.

For MU, this signing brings both professional value and long-term investment. The €45 million fee is seen as reasonable for a player once expected to become Atalanta's most expensive sale in history.

Of course, no one can be certain about the future. But looking at names Walter Sabatini once discovered—like Marquinhos or Javier Pastore—MU fans have reason to believe their club has just acquired another gem.

What Ederson needs now is simply to rediscover the consistency that made him one of Europe's most complete midfielders. If he does that, Old Trafford could well witness the best version of the Brazilian "Pac-Man."