Most of these "pure DM" types we get linked to are just too limited on the ball. Finding a midfielder who acts as your main defensive cover and as a deep lying playmaker ala Rodri seems to be impossible to find.Won't this be a bit too light weight off the ball? I think we need a true DM to come in and play alongside Anderson, should we win the race for his signature.
He’s a great ball winner but, unfortunately for him, he’s got the same passing range as me. He looks absolutely terrified of the ball when its at his feet. He very good at one thing but pretty horrible at the most important thing. He’s got to go.Am I crazy for thinking that Ugarte might actually be good if he's given a proper run of games?
Maybe I'm being too optimistic, but he has played well at times and shown his strengths.
Paired with a top midfielder and Bruno ahead, it might work
Ideally we sign one ofWith European football looking very likely and Casemiro and Ugarte out, 2 centre mids is not enough. I think we need at least 3 this year.
You see every time we play twice in a week, we really struggle and it will happen a lot next year.
I think Baleba will be one of the two no6's that come in to replace Casemiro and Ugarte. Having gone as far as personal terms last summer. I think Utd will close the deal, albeit at a reduced transfer fee.Ideally we sign one of
Anderson/Tonali
Fernandes/Gomes
Stiller/Bouaddi
My gut feeling is Baleba will be amongst them though
I’m not sure how many Middlesbrough fans are on here, but from what I’ve read, Carrick typically set his team up with a double pivot of Hayden Hackney alongside Aidan Morris.
Morris usually operated as the deeper of the two, while Hackney was given more freedom to roam and influence play higher up the pitch. Both high-volume passers with the range and ability to switch play.
If Carrick were to take over, it’s hard to see him not prioritising at least two technically strong, ball-playing midfielders. As has been pointed out many times, we currently lack control in midfield. As effective as Casemiro has been at times, and with Mainoo returning to the side, neither profile truly offers that ability to dictate the rhythm of a game consistently.
I’m not sure exactly who we’ll end up signing, but whoever comes in has to be comfortable on the ball and capable of progressing play because that’s the profile(s) we’re clearly missing right now.
I agree that Carrick -- and at this point surely it will be Carrick -- will want to bring in two progressive passers, one slightly more defensive and the other slightly more attacking in their instincts, but I don't want to the let remark about Mainoo go unchallenged.
In terms of dictating play out of the back, Mainoo is not our man nor will he ever be that player. He's fundamentally more a central midfielder than a defensive midfielder who dictate play, and I'll go even further and cast doubt as to whether Mainoo will ever be a defensive asset for us. That said, whether it's Casemiro now or someone else in the future, once we transition out of the back Mainoo shows all the signs of a midfielder who can, someday -- he'll be 21 any day now -- dictate play from midfield. He's not there yet, but neither were Scholes or Keane at 21, and I doubt Pirlo was either at 21. In terms of immediate needs, yes of course we need to midfielders who can progress the ball and shield the back line when called to duty, but let's not consign Mainoo quite yet as a midfielder who's uncomfortable with the ball at his feet and can't get much of anything done in midfield.
Anderson doesn't dictate games now, he's not that type of player.If that’s what you took from my post, then it’s quite far from what I was actually saying. My point is that, at present, we don’t really have a midfield profile that consistently dictates play, and I stand by that.
That said, I do agree with you that Mainoo is only 20 and absolutely has the potential to grow into that type of player over time. If you look at Anderson, who many people are now keen on, he wasn’t dictating games a few years ago either.
So yes, Mainoo could definitely evolve into that role. My point is that he isn’t there yet.
Honestly can't see the hype with Anderson. He's had about 1 good season and his form could easily fall off a cliff in the coming one.
Anderson doesn't dictate games now, he's not that type of player.
Anderson doesn't dictate games now, he's not that type of player.
Fair enough. Whenever I have seen him it has been vs strong opponents, so it is probably because of that.The idea that Anderson doesn’t dictate games doesn’t really stack up when you actually look at his numbers this season. He’s averaging over 60 passes per game, which puts him right up there with the most involved midfielders in the league and you don’t get that volume unless your team is consistently building through you. It’s not just safe recycling either; he’s completing around 85% of his passes while also putting up strong creative numbers, with a high rate of key passes and expected assists. On top of that, his progressive passing output is huge, showing he’s not just keeping the ball ticking but actively moving his team up the pitch. When you compare that profile to what you’d expect from a traditional “dictating” midfielder - high touches, high passing volume, good efficiency, and the ability to progress play - he ticks all the boxes.
| Metric | Value | Percentile / Note |
| Progressive Passes | Elite | Top 5% among Bundesliga MFs |
| Passes into Final Third | 14/game (int’l) | Highest for Germany vs SUI |
| Shot-Creating Actions/90 | Top bracket | 96th percentile (Bundesliga MFs) |
| Ball Recoveries | ~4/game | Adequate, not elite |
| Duel Win Rate | ~50% | Below average for position |
| Touches/Game | 65 | 87% retention rate |
| Expected Threat (xT) | 576.51 | 7th in Bundesliga (offensive contribution) |
Primary Role & Tactical Function
Stiller operates as a single-pivot or deep-lying playmaker in a double-pivot system. At Stuttgart, he typically sits at the base of midfield in Sebastian Hoeneß’s 4-2-3-1 / 3-4-2-1, forming a complementary partnership with the more physical Atakan Karazor. Stiller provides the creative engine while Karazor handles the bulk of ball-winning duties. This division of labour is critical context for any acquiring club: Stiller’s profile is optimised when paired with a more combative midfield partner.
His primary function is to receive the ball from the centre-backs, evade the first line of press, and progress play into the final third with incisive vertical passing, switches of play, and through balls. He is the metronome: the player who sets the tempo for the entire team.
Would fans be content if United misses out on Elliot Anderson but lands 3 players Matheus Fernandes, Carlos Baleba, Joao Gomes? Around 150 millions could land all 3 of them.With European football looking very likely and Casemiro and Ugarte out, 2 centre mids is not enough. I think we need at least 3 this year.
You see every time we play twice in a week, we really struggle and it will happen a lot next year.
I saw Anderson at the U21s tournament England won and knew he was special.I'm hoping it will be tonali and matheus Fernandes as the two. If not Fernandes then baleba as the athletic out and out no. 6. At a reduced price
Honestly can't see the hype with Anderson. He's had about 1 good season and his form could easily fall off a cliff in the coming one. Splurging 100 million on him will be a mistake on the magnitude of potentially paying 120 million for jadon Sancho. It puts too much pressure on a young player to perform. Recipie for disaster.
The prices quoted are absolutely ridiculous for Anderson. Besides, he may have been good at under 21 level and stepped up in the PL in what is a relation fodder team, but even the best seem to crumble under the Manchester United pressure cooker.I saw Anderson at the U21s tournament England won and knew he was special.
If we can afford him (and he wants to come) he's should be our main midfield signing.
Anderson ability to control possession and recycle it and at time south through a penetrative pass, is something we have been missing for awhile. He may have to become a bit more disciplined with his play on the pitch as Bruno has the licence at Utd to go wander and be creative. I do think the link up play between him, Bruno and Cunha could be great to watch.Anderson was very good last season as well.
You what? He dictates play more than any other midfielder Utd are linked with. He's always calling for the ball and playing passes up-field from deep. Pretty much all of Forest's play goes through him.
Very weird take that.
If his mentality is going to City then I don't want him here. Shows a lack of ambition to me to want to go to a team that had to cheat and spend their way to have any success. Any player that wants City or Chelsea isn't going to be missed by me.Shame he seems to have his mind set on going to City.
100 million is too much, as good he is and probably impacts what we can spend elsewhereThe prices quoted are absolutely ridiculous for Anderson. Besides, he may have been good at under 21 level and stepped up in the PL in what is a relation fodder team, but even the best seem to crumble under the Manchester United pressure cooker.
At 100 million or even 80 million, it seems like a crazy price and tonali might offer better value and more flexibility as a deep lying play maker
Anderson and Garner would be two fantastic but expensive buys. I think Gomes might be 30m cheaper than Garner and hence the realistic no 2 option.Garner & 1 for me. He has been as good as ANY midfielder in the PL this season, the lad has developed into an excellent player. It will not be easy but the club should do all that they can to try and bring him back to United. The player will not be awed by the majesty of stepping out at Old Trafford - he knows the club well. His abilities are far beyond where they where when he left and I for one would be delighted to see him back in United colours.
I do have a feeling that Baleba - as some have mentioned - could well be one of the additions. If so, let us hope that he regains his earlier form and that this season is not his standard going forward.
Tonali is a fine player too and Fernandes at West Ham is developing into a very good player - if he comes, he should bring Diouf to help out at LB.
I would imagine you’re looking at the best part of £200 million for Anderson, Garner and Gomes BUT that absolutely fixes our midfield for years and also along with Mainoo has a bit of everything so I’d be all for it and it would be the same as spending similar on Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko last summer to sort the attack.Anderson and Garner would be two fantastic but expensive buys. I think Gomes might be 30m cheaper than Garner and hence the realistic no 2 option.
Re: garner. If there was any chance we wanted to sign him this summer. We would have asked him to hold off on signing a new contract. He would have been cheaper to sign this summer and we would have been in a stronger negotiating position.I would imagine you’re looking at the best part of £200 million for Anderson, Garner and Gomes BUT that absolutely fixes our midfield for years and also along with Mainoo has a bit of everything so I’d be all for it and it would be the same as spending similar on Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko last summer to sort the attack.
He’s better than Mainoo so yes, he should start if we sign him.Alex scott seems a decent option by the looks of it, but not as our starting midfielder. Great potential there
Baleba maybe, Scott will cost at least 70m. Can see Gomes leaving for 45m. Anderson and Tonali will be very expensive.Hypothetically, if Utd could get Alex Scott and Baleba for £50m each. I would take that over signing Anderson. Alone for £100mil.
Hypothetically, if Utd could get Alex Scott and Baleba for £50m each. I would take that over signing Anderson. Alone for £100mil.
