Manchester United close to Ederson amid Van de Ven call

Why Ederson makes sense

If the deal progresses, Ederson would appear to address an obvious need.

• United need more bite and energy in midfield.
• Ederson is widely seen as a player who can cover ground and compete physically.
• He would also ease some of the burden on Bruno Fernandes in the middle of the pitch.

That kind of addition matters, but it would only solve part of the problem. Midfield control is important, yet squad-building at a top club is rarely fixed by a single arrival.

Saha’s case for Micky van de Ven

The report says Saha would like United to target Micky van de Ven as well, and the logic is clear enough. The Tottenham defender is valued for pace, strength and recovery speed - qualities that can transform a defensive line, especially when a team wants to play higher and defend bigger spaces.

• Van de Ven would bring athleticism at centre-back.
• He also fits the profile of a modern defender comfortable in open-field duels.
• For United, that kind of security could be as important as any midfield signing.

Whether such a move is realistic is another question, particularly with Tottenham not expected to make life easy in the market.

More than one fix

Saha’s wider point is the important one. United appear to need depth in defence, midfield and attack, not just another headline transfer. A balanced squad needs competition for places, reliable availability and different tactical options across the pitch.

If the move for Ederson is completed, the spotlight will quickly shift to what follows. The next storyline is not just who arrives first, but whether Manchester United can build a deeper, more complete squad before the window closes.