Man Utd transfer target Angelo Stiller faces Germany setback, Julian Nagelsmann forced to respond

Jason Wilcox recently said that the transfer window work never stops, so they will be keeping a close eye on Angelo Stiller’s latest Germany setback, which has forced a response from Julian Nagelsmann.

Despite spending more than £200m in the summer transfer window, the gaping hole in defensive midfield is clear to see.

Casemiro is indispensable, and that says as much about Man Utd’s options as it does about the player’s resurgence, which is remarkable in itself.

Angelo Stiller has been linked to Man Utd for the role, and he has just been at the centre of some back-and-forth between club and country after a setback.

Angelo Stiller’s Germany setback

Stiller’s profile makes him the ideal target for Man Utd because he combines ball-playing from deeper areas with the combativeness needed to succeed in English football.

It’s why he has also made five appearances for the German national team despite not playing for an “elite club”, as he’s Stuttgart’s talisman.

He has continued his imperious form this season as well, but he faced a setback recently when he missed out on a call-up to the national team.

It was a surprise because Stuttgart are fourth in the league so far, a fact director Uli Hoeness didn’t let people forget when addressing Stiller’s omission.

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He said (via Stuttgarter Nachrichten): “I was surprised and didn’t expect it. Angelo’s importance to us couldn’t be greater; he’s our key player – and with fourth place in the Bundesliga, we’re not doing too badly at all.

“We didn’t expect the decision. But nevertheless, we’re not questioning anything – what we can do is provide sporting answers.”

Julian Nagelsmann responds to Stiller snub

Stiller hasn’t done anything wrong, so questions over his omission were expected, and Nagelsmann was forced to respond.

He said: “If they had said, ‘It’s deserved that Angelo isn’t there, that idiot,’ then I would have been worried. Their reaction was exactly right.

“Angelo’s development is clearly moving in the right direction again. I also conveyed to him that he is performing much more consistently than in the four weeks before our last training camp.

“Too many defensive midfielders; the balance wasn’t right. Now the structure is a bit different; every position is covered by two players. After some demanding weeks at VfB Stuttgart, Angelo now has a few days to catch his breath and then bring his improving form back onto the pitch. There will be another call-up in March – then we’ll see. The door isn’t closed for Angelo.”

From United’s perspective, it’s not too big a missed opportunity, because they wouldn’t have learned much from seeing Stiller play against Luxembourg.

Slovakia is the other fixture, but if the focus is on him continuing to play well for his club, then that’s a trade United will be happy with.

A Champions League place with Stuttgart would be a far bigger endorsement of Stiller’s qualities than two international fixtures in a two-week break.

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