“The next Toni Kroos.”
Yeah… no pressure at all, right?
That’s what’s coming out of Germany about Angelo Stiller, and while those comparisons usually get thrown around like confetti, you watch him for five minutes and suddenly it doesn’t sound as ridiculous as it did at first.
And let’s be honest, United need a midfield rebuild. Not a tweak. Not a “one signing and vibes” solution. A rebuild.
There’s no point dancing around it anymore.
Casemiro has confirmed again that he is leaving, Manuel Ugarte… I’m not even going to dress that up. Which means that all we have left is Kobbie Mainoo, a 20-year-old who half the fan base isn't sold on.
Meanwhile, the Sandro Tonali situation has taken a turn, which in United terms usually means “we tried, briefed it positively, and now we’re moving on like nothing happened.” Instead, we’re hearing about Elliot Anderson, who is a great player by the way, but also expensive and currently the frontrunner for that lot across the city.
Then there’s Carlos Baleba, who somehow remains high on the list despite having a season where he couldn’t even lock down a consistent spot. Getting benched by a 40-year-old James Milner in a big game is… not exactly screaming “ready to start for United.”
That should tell you everything.
We’ve also been linked with João Gomes, who is solid, energetic, wins the ball back, ticks a lot of boxes but again, feels more like a piece of the puzzle rather than the piece.
And that’s the problem. United keep shopping like they’re building a bench instead of a midfield.
For me, we need two starters. Not one headline signing and then hoping the rest works itself out.
If Anderson comes in, that’s one. But the second midfielder cannot be another 'project' player who might be ready in two years. We don’t have that kind of time.
This is where Stiller comes in.
He’s not being pushed heavily in the media, he’s not trending every other day, and naturally that probably means United won’t sign him. But in terms of profile, he makes a lot of sense.
At 24, he fits the age bracket INEOS seem to be obsessed with, but he’s also not so young that you’re basically gambling on development. He’s left-footed, which already adds balance to a midfield full of right-footed players, and he operates primarily as a holding midfielder while still being comfortable pushing forward as an 8.
So straight away, you’re looking at someone who can actually play football in midfield, not just run around and tackle.
Crazy concept, I know.
If you pair someone like Stiller with Anderson, you’re suddenly talking about balance. Control. Structure. Things United have been allergic to for years.
Of course, there are risks. Bundesliga players at United don’t exactly have a glowing track record, he’s never played in the Premier League, and yes, highlights can make anyone look like prime Maradona.
I get all of that.
But when you actually watch Stiller, he doesn’t feel like a highlights merchant. He feels like a player who does the simple things properly and consistently, which at United right now is basically a superpower.
He dictates tempo, keeps the ball moving, and actually looks like he knows what he’s going to do before he gets it. The weight of his passing is sharp, his delivery from set-pieces is clean, and when given time and space, he can pick out passes that a lot of our team wouldn’t even attempt.
We know how frustrating this can be at United as our players can cock up a simple 5-yard pass.
He’s also not just sitting deep doing nothing. He drifts wide, puts in crosses, makes late runs into the box, and has a left foot that can actually hurt teams. There’s a calmness to his game, but also a bit of bite when needed. He’ll get stuck in, win the ball back, and then actually do something useful with it.
What a concept.
More than anything, it’s his decision-making that stands out. He doesn’t overcomplicate things, doesn’t force it, and doesn’t panic in key moments. Again imagine that in this United team.
In terms of his attacking prowess, Stiller is more than a threat up front. He does have a powerful left-foot as he can strike the ball with great power.
The midfielder makes good runs into the box where he often finds himself in great attacking positions to create or score.
One thing that I really like along with his composure is his decision-making. Stiller often makes the right call especially in the final third.
Again, how many times do we say that we mess up in such moments at United?
To have composure, being able to dictate the play as well as be a bit of a threat up front - that is a deadly combination.
As a defensive midfielder, Stiller also displays good work rate and an ability to get up and down the pitch with relative ease. He is also somewhat robust and doesn't mind getting stuck in and win back possession.
An understanding of his surroundings also makes him a standout.
All-in-all, Stiller is a player who seems to do the simple things well. No wasting time on a pass. Plays the ball when needed. Breaks up the play well. And can control the tempo.
What more can you ask for?
You know what he reminds me of? One of them players that can make things happen. Even his teammates appear to have this feel especially when given that time and space.
To have such a player in a deeper position can make us a more efficient and dangerous team.
Admittedly, I don't know what type of character and personality Stiller has. However, from watching his clips and looking at how he plays and carries himself on the pitch, he doesn't really come across as well, an arse.
Like I said, I don't think he minds getting stuck in and standing up for himself but he usually just gets on with the job.
I like that.
Stiller does pick up the odd injury but it's nothing serious.
Financially, he’s valued around €45m (£39m) [Transfermarkt], with a reported release clause of about €40m (£35m). Which, in normal circumstances, is reasonable. In United circumstances, that probably turns into £80m somehow, and we'll still end up paying £90m because… well, you know how this goes.
The bigger question is why he isn’t being talked about more.
Players like this don’t stay under the radar forever. Eventually, a well-run club comes in, signs him for a sensible fee, develops him properly, and then suddenly he’s worth double that. And that’s when United start “monitoring the situation.”
We’ve seen this film before.
Look, I’m not saying Stiller is guaranteed to come in and transform everything overnight. But in a market full of expensive or highly risky options, he feels like one of the few midfielders who actually brings control, composure, and intelligence to the table.
And right now, that’s exactly what United are missing.
I’d be all over this if I were them.
But then again… that’s probably why it won’t happen.
What do you think?
Angelo Stiller | Photo by THOMAS KIENZLE/AFP via Getty Images - Get German Football News