Man United ‘plot move for Brazilian midfielder’ with Ruben Amorim considering Atalanta star as his first signing ahead of the January transfer window opening

Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Atalanta’s Brazilian midfielder, Ederson, in what could be Ruben Amorim’s first signing at the club.

The newly-appointed Red Devils boss will soon be in a position to launch his recruitment initiative when the January transfer window opens and is expected to make some big calls.

United are towing the line on the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules and face the prospect of needing to sell some players to fund new arrivals.

Marcus Rashford is amongst the most likely candidates to depart Old Trafford midway through the season after publicly declaring his ambitions to leave the club earlier in the week and having been dropped from another matchday squad since.

The 27-year-old’s homegrown status means United will be able to reinvest 100 per cent of the fee received for Rashford on new signings, with Ederson emerging as a top candidate to make a switch to England, as reported by Florian Plettenberg.

Ederson has become a standout figure at Atalanta this season and United are now monitoring his situation ahead of what could be a third set of negotiations with the Italian club in recent years.

United and Atalanta have previously struck deals over Amad Diallo and more recently Rasmus Hojlund who have become starters during Amorim’s short United reign so far.

Midfield has been identified by Amorim and his coaching staff as an area that needs strengthening as he goes about transforming United’s fortunes amidst a difficult first half of the season.

Ederson has been discussed at the club with some of the INEOS-backed sporting leadership team convinced the Brazilian would thrive in England, while others still remain unsure.

No negotiations have yet taken place between the two clubs with a unanimous decision wanted in Manchester before attempting to thrash out a deal with the Serie A outfit.

However, should the club give the green light then United can move quick with scouting reports and research on the Brazil international already completed.

Meanwhile, Amorim’s need for investment in his squad was further highlighted on Thursday evening as United crashed out of the Carabao Cup in a 4-3 defeat against Tottenham.

The 39-year-old was again pressed on his decision to leave Rashford out of his team and defended his decision after the wantaway star’s admission earlier in the week.

‘No, it is not [a mistake],’ insisted Amorim about his decision. ‘I feel that I do the right thing for the team so it’s never a mistake.

‘We have to make a selection, sometimes you lack in the game and you see some guys go into the game and change it a bit but I don’t think it was a mistake because I’m always doing the best for the team in my way of seeing things.’