The night Haaland eliminated Brazil, the lights finally came on in Manchester United's medical room.

On July 5, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Haaland sent Brazil home with two goals, 1-2.

Norwegians went wild, Brazilians fell silent. But one group's emotions were completely opposite to the scoreline. At Carrington base in Manchester, the lights in Manchester United's medical room could finally be turned on.

Ederson was back, after waiting a full month.

On June 2, Romano dropped his trademark "HERE WE GO!" on Instagram, earning over a million likes. United and Atalanta had reached an agreement: a fixed transfer fee of £35 million, plus a maximum of around £3.8 million in add-ons. A four-year contract with a one-year extension option, with a reported weekly wage of around £70,000. Documents had been exchanged, just waiting for the process to go through.

Romano made it clear at the time: "The first unofficial medical had already been completed with Atalanta's authorization. There are no issues between Ederson and Manchester United."

Under normal circumstances, the deal should have been officially announced by mid-June.

Then came a call from the Brazilian national team.

With teammate Wesley injured, Ancelotti urgently called up Ederson as a replacement for the World Cup squad. Ederson got a huge opportunity, but United's £35 million hung in the balance, unable to be finalized.

He went to the US, so the medical couldn't be done. The official medical had to be completed at Carrington base, and the announcement could only come after the results. BBC chief football reporter Simon Stone laid it out on June 3: "This deal actually won't be completed until early next month. He still needs a medical, but he will come eventually."

On June 20, in the second group stage match, Brazil beat Haiti 3-0. Ederson came on as a substitute in the 81st minute, played less than ten minutes, and made his World Cup debut.

United fans didn't even watch the game; they were just counting the days.

Brazil advanced from the group stage, and United had to keep waiting. Until the final whistle blew in New Jersey on July 5, Haaland's two goals freed them. Brazil was eliminated in the round of 16, and Ederson's national team duty was over. The medical window opened.

He landed, and Carrick could get to work.

On May 22, Carrick was officially appointed as Manchester United manager, signing a contract until 2028. He had taken over as interim manager on January 13, led the team for about four months, and was then made permanent. A midfielder by trade managing the midfield, his first signing targeted a Brazilian with rock-solid defensive stats.

Last season in Serie A: 30 games, 2,236 minutes. 273 ball recoveries, 109 tackles, 79 interceptions, 98 successful ground duels. Passing accuracy ranked in the top 15% among Serie A players in his position, and forward passes in the top 13%. FotMob rating: 7.14. Three yellow cards.

Forward passes in the top 13%—he can look up and find a man, and his passing doesn't hold him back.

In 2022, he transferred from Salernitana to Atalanta for a cash fee of around €13 million, plus player Lovato in exchange, totaling about €20-21 million. In four Serie A seasons, 138 games, 13 goals, 4 assists. As a member of Atalanta's first team, he won the 2023/24 Europa League. Bought for €13 million, sold for £35 million—Bergamo completed the cycle of the Italian black-market shop.

Casemiro's contract expired in June, and both parties confirmed in January that it wouldn't be renewed. The Brazilian senior left, and the Brazilian junior stepped in. Carrick was very specific: he wanted someone who could run, tackle, and physically wrestle the ball away from opponents. Ederson does that dirty work, and his forward passing isn't a weakness.

There were some noises about this deal. Some media said the transfer had fallen through. United insiders directly denied it: the delay was solely due to the World Cup call-up; he was in the US and couldn't return to England to finalize the paperwork. Manchester Evening News club correspondent Tyrone Marshall also calmed the waters on social media: "The deal is still progressing. Everything is agreed with Atalanta—£35 million plus £3.8 million in add-ons. Four-year personal terms have been signed."

The shirt number hasn't been decided yet. He wore 13 at Atalanta, but United's 13 is taken. 18 and 40 are candidates. 40 at United is usually reserved for academy kids or third-choice goalkeepers—giving a £35 million Serie A destroyer that number would be a bit of a personal grudge from Carrington's kit manager. But the number is a minor issue.

The lights in Carrington's medical room are already on. Once the second official medical is completed and the results are fine, the official announcement can come at any time. Carrick's pre-season friendly schedule is packed, and the training camp roster is just waiting for that last name to be filled in.