Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy and ardent Manchester United supporter, has made waves beyond the oche by sharing his vision for the Red Devils’ transfer strategy. Fresh off his historic World Matchplay victory on July 21, 2025, where he defeated James Wade 18-13 to become the youngest Triple Crown winner in darts history, Littler turned his attention to his beloved football club. Speaking to Sky Sports on July 30, 2025, he named Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz as his top transfer target for Manchester United, calling the move 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.” As United face a pivotal 2025/26 season under manager Ruben Amorim, Littler’s passionate plea has ignited debate among fans, with some urging the teenager to “stick to darts.”
Littler’s meteoric rise in darts, marked by his 2025 PDC World Championship and Premier League titles, has cemented his status as a sporting sensation. Yet, his love for Manchester United runs just as deep. A lifelong fan from Warrington, he’s no stranger to Old Trafford, having paraded his World Championship trophy there in January 2025 to thunderous applause. His transfer wishlist reflects the frustrations of a fanbase reeling from United’s dismal 2024/25 campaign, which saw them slump to a historic 15th-place finish in the Premier League and suffer a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. With INEOS backing Amorim’s rebuild, the club has already secured Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, moves Littler celebrated, saying, “The main two players that we have got – Mbeumo and Cunha – we wanted them and we’ve got them.” But for Littler, Luiz is the missing piece to bolster a midfield that has struggled for consistency.
Douglas Luiz, the 27-year-old former Aston Villa star, is no stranger to the Premier League. After a single appearance for Manchester City in 2017, hampered by work permit issues, he thrived at Villa, making over 200 appearances and scoring 22 goals. His £15 million move to Juventus in 2024 was meant to elevate his career, but injuries limited him to just three Serie A starts, fueling speculation of a return to England. Littler’s endorsement comes as Luiz reportedly skipped Juventus’ pre-season training, prompting rumors of a push for a Premier League comeback. United face competition from Everton, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and Leeds, but Littler’s call for action has struck a chord with fans desperate for a dynamic midfielder. “I’ve said it for the past week, Douglas Luiz from Juventus. It would be a no-brainer,” he reiterated, emphasizing Luiz’s ability to anchor or attack.
Littler’s transfer dreams don’t stop there. He also floated the idea of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez joining United, even suggesting a swap with Alejandro Garnacho, who has been linked with Chelsea and Napoli after a fallout with Amorim. “There’s rumours that Garnacho could be going to Villa, so why not take Watkins off them as well?” Littler mused, though his suggestion that Martinez is out of contract was mistaken. Social media reactions were mixed, with some fans mocking his football insights—“Dudes never watched Luiz,” one quipped—while others admired his passion. Despite the skepticism, Littler’s history of bold transfer calls, from Victor Osimhen to Matthijs de Ligt, shows his knack for sparking conversation.
As United prepare for their Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17, 2025, Littler’s focus remains split between darts and football. His New Zealand Darts Masters commitment may delay another Old Trafford visit, but his influence as a fan is undeniable. With Amorim under pressure to deliver, and INEOS reshaping the club’s hierarchy, Littler’s call for Luiz could yet inspire a midfield revolution at the Theatre of Dreams, proving that even a darts star can aim for the back of the net.
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