Ederson could be handed rare Man Utd squad number only worn by eight players

Manchester United could hand midfielder Ederson an ultra-rare squad number after reaching an agreement to sign him from Atalanta this summer.

The Athletic's David Ornstein reported on Tuesday evening that United had agreed a deal worth an initial £35 million, plus £4m in potential add-ons, for the 26-year-old Brazilian.

He is said to have agreed to a four-year contract, with an option to extend by a further year.

It is expected that Ederson will be officially unveiled by United in 'early July', pending the completion of a medical.

The transfer window officially opens on Monday, June 15, with Ederson's non-selection for Brazil's World Cup squad meaning that smaller details of the deal should be a formality.

READ MORE: Carlo Ancelotti selects final 26-man Brazil squad for World Cup

The midfielder will become Michael Carrick's first signing as permanent United manager.

Ederson Man Utd squad number decision

One of the first other formalities once he does arrive at Old Trafford will be for United to assign the Brazil midfielder a squad number.

He currently wears the number 13 shirt at Atalanta - a number that often isn't used by English football clubs.

It is normally a number used by goalkeepers, but at United it is worn by defender and winger Patrick Dorgu.

Dorgu has worn the number throughout his professional career and decided to keep it once he arrived at Old Trafford last January, with it having not been in use by another player since 2022.

Patrick Dorgu currently wears the number 13 shirt at Man Utd (Image: Getty)

As a result, Ederson will likely have to choose a different number - and may choose the number that he first started his career with.

The No. 40 shirt at United has only ever been worn by club academy graduates or reserve goalkeepers, including Daniel Nardiello, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Radek Vitek.

He could also take the No. 14 shirt, which is currently vacant.

Numbers 17, 20, 21 and 22 are among the other numbers that are vacant.

The No. 17 was worn by United legend Andrew Cole during his first year at the club, and would later be taken over by Henrik Larsson and Nani.

The No. 20, meanwhile, was worn by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Robin van Persie, with Diogo Dalot having worn the number until he switched to the No. 2 at the beginning of last season.