As a data scientist analyzing football tactics, I’ve been tracking Manchester United’s evolving midfield strategy. With interest in Atlético’s Edson fading due to price, the spotlight has shifted to João Palhinha—Bayer Leverkusen’s defensive maestro on loan at Bayern. Could his gritty work rate and 72% pass accuracy under pressure be the missing link? Let’s break down the numbers, manager dynamics, and why this move might just be smarter than it looks.