Schrödinger's Ederson! Manchester United's £39 million deal reportedly collapses, with knee injury concerns and Carrick not wanting him

Whether Manchester United will still sign 27-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder Ederson has become a mystery. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims the deal is off; however, BBC's Simon Stone says it's not 100% dead. Ederson's transfer has entered a "Schrödinger's cat" state.

Romano stated: "Ederson to Manchester United, deal off. United have informed Atalanta that the transfer is considered canceled. United changed their plans; Ederson will not join. Atalanta firmly believes Ederson is 100% fit and will welcome the Brazilian international back to the team."

However, Stone's account is that Ederson's move to Manchester United faces serious uncertainty. United and Atalanta had agreed on a fee as early as June 2, with a fixed transfer fee of £35 million plus £4 million in add-ons. At that time, it was agreed that Ederson would undergo a medical at United in early July and then join the preseason training camp.

But Ederson unexpectedly was called up as a substitute by Ancelotti to the Brazilian national team for the World Cup, changing the plans. Only after Brazil's World Cup campaign ended could Ederson have his medical. United conducted a medical for Ederson in New York, which usually would allow an official announcement, just like Manchester City did for the £116 million signing of English international Elliott Anderson. However, United made no announcement, and rumors of the deal being canceled began to spread.

Especially after Brazil was eliminated by Norway last week, Ederson still hasn't officially joined United. Sources say Ederson's medical results revealed issues. One of them also told the BBC that the Ederson deal cannot proceed further.

However, insiders from both Manchester United and Atalanta deny this, insisting that no final decision has been made. There are even claims that Ederson is still in the United States and has not traveled to United's Carrington training base. Transfer expert Ben Jacobs added: "The Ederson deal is in doubt, and further clarification will come soon. The medical is done, but United has not yet made a final decision."

Germany's Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg said: "Manchester United is still working to push through the Ederson transfer. Currently, United denies that the deal is 100% canceled. Although the process remains difficult, United insists that the transfer is still possible and everything is not over. Critical hours are ahead."

During the medical, United discovered that Ederson has a chronic knee issue, reportedly related to the meniscus. In the medical conducted in New York, United found that his injury had not fully healed, so they decided to arrange another examination in the UK. After detailed checks this week, Ederson still failed the medical.

Another new claim suggests that while Manchester United's club management still decided to bring in Ederson, head coach Carrick does not want him, preferring to sign a different type of midfielder.

Manchester United fans must continue to wait, wondering if Ederson's transfer will ultimately go through. It's very United, dragging their feet on everything with twists and turns. In the past 48 hours, United has also agreed on deals for Andre Santos for £50 million from Chelsea and former Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer; both have passed their medicals, yet the club has again postponed the official announcements.