Manchester United are a club on the up under Ruben Amorim, but there are still a few issues that continue to plague him in his quest for success at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old took the reins from Erik ten Hag last November, but it’s taken over 12 months for the players to fully adapt to the demands of his 3-4-2-1 system.
As a result, it required numerous players to take up new roles, but none more so than Amad Diallo, who’s been requested to operate in a deeper wing-back role.
Amad Diallo for Man United
The Red Devils do lack key depth in such an area of the pitch, but such issues look set to worsen as the Ivorian links up with his national team ahead of AFCON.
However, one other part of the field has also been brought into question over recent seasons, which could see added investment made during the upcoming January window.
Man Utd targeting move to sign European superstar
Over the last couple of weeks, rumours have certainly ramped up linking United with a potential club-record deal to land Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson this January.
The England international has been one of the Premier League’s star men in 2025/26 to date, but could cost a pretty penny amid his current £100m asking price.
elliot-anderson-nottingham-forest
However, Amorim’s men are not alone in their hunt for the 23-year-old, with local rivals Manchester City also keen to make a move for the youngster next month.
He’s not the only player currently in their sights ahead of the upcoming window, with Stuttgart sensation Angelo Stiller another option currently being considered.
The latest report from TEAMtalk states that the Red Devils are keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old’s progress and are considering making a move in January.
It also states that the German is seen as the most likely candidate to be pursued outside of any Premier League options, but it doesn’t state how much a deal could cost INEOS.
Why Stiller would be the perfect Bruno replacement
Bruno Fernandes has no doubt been United’s shining light over the last couple of years, as seen by his remarkable tallies of goals and assists in the Premier League.
Bruno-Fernandes-Man-Utd-Wolves
Even in 2025/26, he’s continued his remarkable form in England’s top-flight, subsequently registering 12 goal contributions in his first 16 league outings to date.
However, his career at Old Trafford may now be in doubt, after he came out and claimed that the hierarchy wanted to sell him amid interest from Saudi Arabia in the summer.
It’s unclear how the club feel about his comments in the media, but they could well be tempted to cash in on the 31-year-old in the near future to regain as much of their £47m investment as possible.
Such a move could prove to be a risk given his remarkable tallies in the final third, but it could well be the last chance to make a profit on his services given his age.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes reacts
The supporters would no doubt be alarmed if he were to depart, but they could well be about to land the perfect replacement in the form of German star Stiller.
When comparing their respective stats from the ongoing campaign, the Stuttgart talent has managed to outperform Bruno in numerous key areas.
How Stiller & Bruno compare in 2025/26
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Progressive carries
Progressive passes
Pass accuracy
Passes into final third
Take-on success
Recoveries made
Aerials won
Stats via FBref
Stiller has managed to register 8.7 progressive passes, with 7.6 of which being played into the final third per 90 - with both tallies higher than Bruno has managed to date.
He’s also completed more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst achieving a greater take-on success rate - subsequently showcasing his dominance in possession.
VfB Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller celebrates scoring their first goal
VfB Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller celebrates scoring their first goal
Without the ball, he’s made more recoveries and won more aerial battles than the Portuguese international - leading to one analyst dubbing him the “most underrated midfielder in Europe”.
It’s unclear how much a deal for the German sensation would cost in the upcoming market, but it’s evident that he has all the tools needed to replace Bruno.
No Manchester United fan would want to lose their captain at present, but ultimately the club will certainly do what’s best for them from a financial standpoint.
As for Stiller, he has bags of time to develop further and become an elite talent and help the club achieve a new level of success under Amorim’s guidance.
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Manchester United's search for new attack-minded wing-backs appears to be stepping up.