Atalanta midfielder Ederson has spoken publicly for the first time about the collapse of his proposed move to Manchester United, admitting that he remains unsure about exactly why the transfer fell apart despite believing that his medical examinations had gone well.

The 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder had been expected to move to Old Trafford during the summer as Manchester United looked to strengthen their midfield. A deal worth around £39 million had reportedly been agreed, with Ederson emerging as one of the club’s preferred targets during their rebuilding plans.

However, the transfer unexpectedly broke down in early July. Manchester United reportedly became concerned after the player underwent an initial medical examination in the United States, with tests identifying an issue involving his knee. The club subsequently decided not to proceed with the transfer under the terms that had originally been agreed.

The collapse of the deal left Ederson in an unusual position. He had been preparing for a move to England but ultimately remained in Italy, where he has spent the past four seasons establishing himself as an important player for Atalanta.

Speaking ahead of Atalanta’s Conference League play-off match against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Ederson admitted that he still does not fully understand why the transfer failed to materialize.

“I honestly don’t know what happened,” the midfielder said when asked about the proposed move.

According to Ederson, he had been interested in the opportunity to join Manchester United, but he also had approaches from other clubs, including teams in England. He explained that the medical tests appeared to have gone successfully from his perspective, making the eventual collapse of the transfer difficult for him to understand.

Ederson suggested that he could have waited longer to see whether Manchester United would eventually revive the deal. Instead, the strong relationship he had developed with Atalanta persuaded him to remain at the club and agree to a new contract.

The decision has ultimately given the Brazilian a sense of stability after what was clearly an uncertain period.

Manchester United had initially appeared determined to complete the transfer. Sources close to the club reportedly maintained that the intention was to finalize the deal in early July after the financial structure of the transfer and personal terms with Ederson had been agreed.

However, the circumstances surrounding the player’s medical examination complicated matters.

Ederson had been called up to Brazil’s squad for the World Cup at relatively short notice after Roma defender Wesley suffered an injury. The late international involvement meant that Manchester United had to conduct the first stage of Ederson’s medical in the United States rather than completing the entire process in England.

During those initial examinations, concerns emerged regarding the midfielder’s knee.

A more comprehensive assessment was subsequently planned, with specialists expected to become involved after Brazil’s participation in the tournament ended. Manchester United ultimately chose not to complete the transfer on the terms that had previously been agreed.

People familiar with the situation reportedly rejected suggestions that United had cancelled the transfer before completing the necessary medical process. Instead, they maintained that the club became increasingly concerned about the uncertainty surrounding Ederson’s physical condition.

While the situation remained unresolved, Manchester United began exploring alternative midfield options.

The club eventually turned its attention elsewhere, including making an approach for Youri Tielemans. United also strengthened their midfield by signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal reported to be worth around £50 million.

At the same time, the club has continued looking for further reinforcements and has reportedly been pursuing Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

For Ederson, however, the failed move to Manchester United has not prevented him from looking positively toward the future.

The midfielder has already established an impressive record at Atalanta. Since joining the Italian club, he has made around 180 appearances across four seasons and remained a regular part of the team. During the 2025-26 campaign alone, he featured 41 times in all competitions.

Rather than allowing the failed transfer to affect his confidence, Ederson says he returned to Atalanta determined to continue performing at the highest level.

The Brazilian admitted that the events surrounding the transfer were difficult to understand, particularly after the excitement of being selected for the World Cup. Nevertheless, he emphasized that he had managed to move beyond the disappointment and focus on the club that had continued to support him.

Ederson also expressed gratitude toward Atalanta and the people at the club who remained in contact with him throughout the uncertain period.

He specifically praised CEO Luca Percassi and said that the club had repeatedly reached out to him, making it clear that they wanted him to stay.

That support played an important role in his decision.

Although Ederson acknowledged that he had other opportunities available, he ultimately felt that remaining at Atalanta was the right choice. After experiencing the disappointment of seeing his proposed transfer collapse, he preferred to stay with the club where he felt genuinely valued.

For Ederson, the decision was not simply about rejecting other offers. It was also about recognizing the importance of the relationship he had built with Atalanta.

He described himself as happy to continue wearing the club’s shirt, which he believes has brought him many memorable moments during his career in Italy.

The midfielder also insisted that the failed Manchester United transfer has not changed his mentality or his commitment to football. He remains confident in his abilities and believes that his teammates, coaches and supporters at Atalanta know exactly what he can contribute.

His message was clear: whatever happened with Manchester United is now in the past.

Ederson remains the same player who helped Atalanta over the previous four seasons, and he is determined to continue giving everything for the club.

While Manchester United have moved on to alternative targets, Ederson has also found a way to turn an unexpected setback into a positive outcome. His new contract provides him with security, while his continued role at Atalanta gives him the opportunity to maintain his form and pursue further success in Italy.

The failed transfer may remain one of the summer’s biggest unanswered questions, particularly because Ederson himself says he does not know precisely why it collapsed. Yet the midfielder appears comfortable with the outcome.

Rather than dwelling on what could have happened at Old Trafford, he has chosen to focus on the club that continued to show faith in him.

For now, Ederson’s future is firmly in Bergamo, where he hopes to repay Atalanta for their support by continuing to perform at the level that originally attracted Manchester United’s attention.