Manchester United will head into the new season with renewed optimism. Michael Carrick has truly transformed the club’s fortunes during the second half of last season.
The Red Devils finished third in the Premier League. And that secured a return to Champions League football after winning 12 of their final 17 league matches.
Carrick has already overseen an ambitious summer rebuild aimed at closing the gap to the division’s elite.
Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos arrived in a deal worth up to £50 million to strengthen the centre of the park.
United quickly followed that move by triggering the £35 million release clause in Youri Tielemans’ Aston Villa contract. Veteran goalkeeper Karl Darlow has also joined the club on a free transfer.
Meanwhile, Mason Greenwood’s move from Marseille to Fenerbahce generated an additional financial boost through a sell-on clause.
Despite those additions, United remain active in the market as Carrick searches for further midfield reinforcements.
One player who has attracted serious interest from Old Trafford is Stuttgart midfielder Angelo Stiller.
The Germany international enjoyed another impressive campaign as Stuttgart secured Champions League qualification with a fourth-place Bundesliga finish.
Manchester United scouts reportedly watched the 25-year-old on multiple occasions throughout last season as interest in his situation intensified. However, the Bundesliga side now hold a much stronger negotiating position.
According to Sport Bild (via Bulinews), Stiller’s €36.5 million release clause expired on July 15, removing the straightforward route to a transfer that had attracted several clubs.
Stuttgart no longer face the threat of losing the midfielder for a fixed fee and can now dictate any future negotiations.
That development represents a significant setback for Manchester United and other interested sides.
Stiller remains under contract until 2028 and Stuttgart are under little pressure to sanction a sale this summer.
The report adds that the release clause will become active again in 2027, potentially reopening the door for interested clubs next year.
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