Stiller addresses Littler's Manchester United transfer plea
VfB Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller has responded to comments from darts world champion Luke Littler, who publicly urged the German to join Manchester United. The 25-year-old addressed the unexpected transfer link in an exclusive interview with Bundesliga media, acknowledging the remarks while downplaying their significance. Stiller's current club, Stuttgart, are preparing for a Champions League campaign after a sensational second-place finish in the Bundesliga last season.
Stiller expressed delight at the praise from Littler, who recently named the Stuttgart player as his favourite German footballer. "That is great," Stiller said. "Because he is also my favourite darts player. He is currently the best in the world, and when he says something like that, it is always nice." The midfielder revealed he is a fan of the sport and has visited the Ally Pally venue in London. Littler had added in his original comments to DAZN, "Casemiro is leaving us. (Stiller) Come to United! We need help."
While calling the attention a pleasure, Stiller indicated he tries not to engage deeply with such speculation. "It's part of the business that rumours arise, and things are said," he stated. "You should not deal with it too much, and just do your own thing." There has been no official contact or bid from Manchester United reported for the player, who is under contract with Stuttgart until 2028 after joining from Hoffenheim in 2023.
The context of Littler's comments stems from the expected departure of experienced midfielder Casemiro from Old Trafford this summer, creating a potential vacancy in Manchester United's engine room. Stiller, who came through the Bayern Munich academy before establishing himself at Stuttgart, is known for his defensive work and ball distribution. He was a key figure in Sebastian Hoeness's system last term, making 33 league appearances.
Stiller reflected on the increased scrutiny that comes with higher performance, stating he has grown more adept at handling external noise. "When you are more in focus, more things can hit you and affect you. At the beginning of my career, it affected me more," he explained. "Now I have learned that it should not really matter to me. What is important is what the club thinks, what the coach thinks, and what my teammates think.
He specifically noted the challenge of modern media. "Because of social media, Instagram, Twitter, and everything else, everyone can form an opinion and say what they think," Stiller said. "Everyone can act like an internet warrior, but you should not listen to that. It does not affect me personally." His focus remains on Stuttgart's upcoming season, where the club will aim to build on its remarkable progress under Hoeness.
For Manchester United, under new sporting director Dan Ashworth and manager Erik ten Hag, midfield reinforcements are a summer priority. While Stiller's profile may fit a need, any substantive move would require formal negotiations with a Stuttgart side under no pressure to sell a core player. The public endorsement from a global sports star like Littler has, however, unexpectedly brought the German's name into the wider Premier League conversation.
