Man United target is outperforming every player across Europe in key area – ‘complete midfielder’
Manchester United were boosted by an impressive 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Sunday, yet Ruben Amorim still has several problems to iron out.
The Portuguese boss requires more squad depth in midfield, having deployed Bruno Fernandes as a deep-lying playmaker instead of a number 10.
Amorim wants a player capable of keeping the ball in tight spaces and progressing play up the pitch, which is why Man United have been linked with Adam Wharton.
The Crystal Palace maestro has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders, with Wharton drawing comparisons to Michael Carrick.
However, the 21-year-old isn’t the only player on their radar, as the Red Devil’s could sign a European superstar for a bargain price.
Angelo Stiller is one of Europe’s best midfielders
On Wednesday, October 21, it was reported that Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller is keen on joining Manchester United, with the German giants demanding north of £43million.
Stiller, who has been hailed a ‘complete midfielder’, has become one of the Bundesliga’s most prominent deep-lying playmakers, scoring once and assisting four goals at the start of the 2025/26 season.
Also a five-time German international, Stiller’s data proves why he would be the perfect player for Amorim to sign in the heart of his midfield.
| Angelo Stiller’s stats per 90 past year | Percentile rank |
| 0.29 assists | Top 3% |
| 4.29 shot-creating actions | Top 5% |
| 85.12 passes attempted | Top 3% |
| 9.78 progressive passes | Top 1% |
| 2.08 key passes | Top 5% |
| 8.61 passes into final third | Top 4% |
As highlighted by FBref, the 24-year-old ranks in the top five per cent of midfielders across Europe for multiple statistics, including key passes, progressive passes and shot-creating actions, underlining his qualities in possession.
Remarkably, the German metronome has recorded more progressive passes per 90 in the past year than any other midfielder.
Man United’s main issue this season has been progressing the ball forward, and everything points towards Stiller fixing that problem.
Stiller has been likened to Joshua Kimmich
Stiller is part of Germany’s next wave of world-beating talent, and due to his incredible press resistance and ability to distribute the ball, he has been compared to Bayern Munich superstar Joshua Kimmich.
That is according to the Bundesliga official website, who wrote in 2024: “Stiller fits the modern mould of a deep-lying playmaker that Kimmich did so much to define while Stiller was developing in the Bayern youth ranks.
“Their stats for the 2023/24 seasons were remarkably similar, with Stiller getting one goal and five assists in Stuttgart’s ascent to the top end of the Bundesliga, with Kimmich chalking up a goal and six assists.
“While some way off his level, Stiller can take it as a great compliment that he was given a spot in the first Germany squad after the retirement of the legendary Toni Kroos.”
Arguably on track to become as good as Kimmich, Man United could sign a midfield controller that they’ve been crying out for.