I agree.
He appears to be a smart, hardworking player that is very flexible tactically. Howe even used him as a central midfielder in a couple of games (both against us and Man City), but he is obviously at his best as a right midfielder/winger or as an attacking midfielder through the middle. For us he would have been very well suited for several positions both if we play 4231, 433 or even the 4312 that we played in numerous games last year.
That type of flexibility would make him very valuable to us in my opinion. When we lose Pogba we will sometimes need more creative players in the middle of the pitch against low block teams. If we bring in a replacement to Pogba like Fernandes, Maddison or Lo Celso, a hardworking player with the tactical nous of Brooks would allow us to switch to a 433 with two creative players infront of a DM towards the end of games where we we need a goal. In these type of games, with players like Fernandes/Brooks in midfield, maybe Mata could come on and be useful towards the end of games? In my opinion, this type of sub towards the end of games where we need a goal, would be a step in the right direction compared to the Fellaini-sub we relied on for a few years.
Against better teams it would be brilliant to have an attacker like him, with a significant contribution off the ball. Pep Guardiola used Bernardo Silva a bit like this.
He would also add end-product to the team. When you look at his expected goal-involvement (xg + xga per 90 min) this season from attacking positions he is at 0,54. Jessie Lingards average from attacking positions for the past three seasons is as 0,41 (0,37 in 18/19). 32 % advantage of Brooks. Despite this being Brooks first season the PL for a rather poor/average team compared to Man Utd. His xGBuildup90, that always favours players at good teams, is approx the same (0,31 vs 0,30 in favour Jessie Lingard). In 18/19 it is 0,3 vs 0,28 in favour of Brooks. If you compare Brooks to flavour of the year, Maddison, the results are similar. Maddison has an expected goal involvement of 0,45 goals per 90 min. And Maddison only had an xgBuildup90 of 0,18 compared to Brooks' 0,3.
Brooks appears to be very underestimated this summer and we would be wise to get him now. Next year, we will probably face competition. In my opinion, if Pogba leaves, we should strongly consider getting both Maddison and Brooks. But I prefer Brooks. Maddison is not as flexible tactically, not as hard working off the ball and there are fewer players comparable to Brooks than Maddison where there should be several good options. It will probably be easier to negotiate with Bournmouth as well.