Crossword Genius

Wanted to be manipulated according to speaker (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

needed

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'wanted' is the definition.
(needing is a kind of wanting)

'be manipulated according to speaker' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'be' could be 'need' (needing is a kind of being) and 'need' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for needed that I've seen before include "Was in want of" , "Obligatory" , "Required, necessary" , "Required; sounds like worked (dough)" , "Essential; called for" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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