Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts sensation and die-hard Manchester United fan, has turned heads once again, this time not with a bullseye but with a bold transfer recommendation for his beloved club. Fresh off his historic World Matchplay victory on July 21, 2025, where he clinched an 18-13 win over James Wade to become the youngest Triple Crown winner in darts history, Littler shared his vision for United’s midfield revival. Speaking to Sky Sports on July 30, 2025, the Warrington native urged manager Ruben Amorim to sign Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz, calling it a “no-brainer” and praising the Brazilian’s versatility: “It would be a no-brainer whether you want him sitting or whether you want him attacking, he can do it all.” Littler’s call has sparked a lively debate among fans, with some cheering his passion while others playfully suggest he “stick to darts.”
Littler’s love for Manchester United runs deep, rooted in childhood memories like Cristiano Ronaldo’s dramatic winner in a 2021 Champions League comeback against Atalanta. His connection with the club has grown stronger, from parading his World Darts Championship trophy at Old Trafford in January 2025 to exchanging messages with players like Mason Mount. United’s dismal 2024/25 season, marked by a 15th-place Premier League finish and a Europa League final loss to Tottenham, has only fueled Littler’s desire for a squad overhaul. The club’s recent signings of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves’ Matheus Cunha thrilled him—“The main two players that we have got, Mbeumo and Cunha – we wanted them and we’ve got them,” he said—but he believes Luiz is the key to unlocking United’s potential.
The 27-year-old Luiz, who joined Juventus from Aston Villa in 2024 for £15 million, is no stranger to the Premier League. After a single appearance for Manchester City in 2017, hindered by work permit issues, he flourished at Villa, amassing over 200 appearances and 22 goals. His ability to dictate play as a deep-lying midfielder or surge forward with attacking intent makes him, in Littler’s words, a player who “can do it all.” However, Luiz’s first season in Serie A was marred by injuries, limiting him to three league starts, and his absence from Juventus’ pre-season training sparked rumors of a Premier League return. United face stiff competition from Everton, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and Leeds, with the Brazilian’s £35 million valuation and £100,000-a-week wages posing financial hurdles.
Littler’s transfer wishlist didn’t stop at Luiz. He also floated Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez as dream signings, even suggesting a swap involving Alejandro Garnacho, who’s been linked with Chelsea and Napoli amid tensions with Amorim. “There’s rumours that Garnacho could be going to Villa, so why not take Watkins off them as well?” Littler mused, though he mistakenly believed Martinez’s contract was expiring, when it actually runs until 2029. Social media reactions were mixed, with some fans joking, “Good job he’s a darts player,” and others claiming, “Dudes never watched Luiz.” Yet, Littler’s enthusiasm resonates with a fanbase craving a return to United’s glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson, whose final season Littler has cited as a benchmark.
As United gear up for their Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17, 2025, Littler’s schedule may keep him from Old Trafford, with the New Zealand Darts Masters looming. Still, his influence as a superfan is undeniable, amplified by his meteoric rise in darts, where he’s joined legends like Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen. Whether Luiz dons the red jersey remains uncertain, but Littler’s bold call has added fuel to United’s transfer saga, proving that even from the darts stage, he’s aiming to score big for the Red Devils.
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