‘I’m surprised’ – Don Hutchison questions Manchester United transfer decision
Manchester United have been told they may have made a mistake by abandoning their move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
Former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchison remains a major admirer of the Brazilian and believes the Manchester United Ederson transfer would have improved Michael Carrick’s squad.
United had agreed a package worth around £38million with Atalanta before concerns emerged during the medical process following Ederson’s return from the World Cup.
The club subsequently withdrew from the deal rather than accepting the previously agreed terms.
🚨 United hoped to sign Ederson from Atalanta in Italy and terms were agreed. The Old Trafford club felt they had an excellent deal, signing him for a reasonable fee given he only had a year of his contract left, but an issue was flagged in a first medical and United decided NOT… pic.twitter.com/OVvfsoUxAt
— SimplyUtd (@SimplyUtd) July 26, 2026
Speaking on ESPN, Hutchison admitted he was surprised United did not eventually revive their pursuit.
“I’m surprised they didn’t go back for Ederson,” he said.
Hutchison described the 27-year-old as an “outstanding player” capable of improving the players around him.
United have instead strengthened their midfield with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, although Carrick could still add another option before the window closes.
The decision on Ederson was based on medical concerns rather than doubts over his footballing ability.
ReadManUtd previously detailed the concerns discovered during Ederson’s medical, with United having to decide whether the risk justified proceeding with a significant investment.
The deal was ultimately abandoned.
Ederson has since committed his future to Atalanta. beIN Sports confirmed the midfielder signed a new contract until June 2031 following the collapse of his proposed Old Trafford switch.
Hutchison may disagree with United’s decision, but the club’s medical staff clearly believed proceeding carried too much risk.
How Ederson performs for Atalanta over the coming seasons will ultimately determine whether walking away proves to have been a sensible decision or a costly missed opportunity.
James Chettle is a journalism graduate from the University of Liverpool with a strong passion for football and digital sports media. A lifelong Chelsea supporter, James manages dedicated social media pages for fellow Blues fans, giving him a close understanding of supporter culture and the conversations that matter most to audiences. Alongside his Chelsea-focused work, he writes across the Dave.Sport network, covering West Ham United, Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Manchester United. His journalism spans breaking news, transfers, match analysis and the wider stories shaping clubs across the Premier League.
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