The transfer window may only formally open in the Premier League today, but Manchester United have already completed one piece of business this summer.
Ederson has not yet signed a contract to confirm his move to Old Trafford, but the 26-year-old will become a United player shortly. A deal worth £35million plus £3.8million in add-ons has been agreed with Atalanta, and the Brazilian midfielder will sign a contract until 2030, with an option for an additional year. He represents the first part of the midfield rebuild this summer, and it is that area of the pitch that continues to occupy minds at United. With Casemiro leaving and plans in place to offload Manuel Ugarte, two more arrivals could still materialise.
It seems almost certain that Elliot Anderson will not be among them. United have pulled out of that transfer race, with Manchester City having a bid of up to £120million rejected. Instead, United's current focus is on Mateus Fernandes. They are leading the chase for West Ham's 21-year-old midfielder and will attempt to negotiate with the Hammers regarding their demands for more than £80million, according to the Manchester Evening News.
Mateus Fernandes is a priority target for Manchester United (Image: Richard Pelham, Getty Images)
Beyond Fernandes, United retain an interest in Carlos Baleba at Brighton and Bournemouth's Alex Scott as they look to reshape their midfield.
Whether they bring in a third midfielder will depend on efforts to sell Ugarte, with Galatasaray among the clubs showing interest. United would prefer a sale, but could settle for a loan with an obligation to buy.
Aside from the midfield, a left-back is also high on the agenda as cover for Luke Shaw. United have their sights set on Lewis Hall at Newcastle and would prefer to bring in a younger left-back to eventually succeed Shaw.
That role is now considered more urgent than the left-wing, although there is still interest in Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa and Everton's Iliman Ndiaye, with Premier League experience seen as a plus by recruitment chiefs at Old Trafford.
Morgan Rogers has been linked with Manchester United (Image: Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Securing an experienced striker to back up Benjamin Sesko is also a possibility, especially if Joshua Zirkzee departs. While Zirkzee is not pushing for a move as he was six months ago, he has seen limited game time under Carrick and could be offered more regular first-team football elsewhere.
In other news, United face a difficult task of arranging exits for some of their highest earners. Andre Onana will return from a loan spell at Trabzonspor but has no future at the club, with Senne Lammens now firmly established as the No1.
The situation with Marcus Rashford is even more complicated. As one of the club's highest-paid players, offloading his £325,000-a-week wage will be difficult, especially with Barcelona opting for Antony Gordon instead.
Marcus Rashford could join an England team-mate in Germany (Image: Rich Storry/Getty Images)
There will be suitors for Rashford this summer, with United not planning to reintegrate him into the squad, but any deal will require extensive negotiation and compromise. Bayern Munich are among those showing interest, while clubs in the Premier League are also monitoring Rashford's situation.
In addition to Onana, there could be several more departures from the goalkeeping ranks at Old Trafford. Altay Bayindir is keen to move on in search of regular first-team action, while it might be a good time to cash in on 22-year-old Radek Vitek, who has had an impressive loan spell at Bristol City.
Vitek is keen to play regularly rather than sit on the bench as a number two, which will create a vacancy for a reserve goalkeeper. Karl Darlow and Sam Johnstone are among numerous names being considered as United evaluate their goalkeeping options.