There was a time, before Jason Wilcox’s arrival, when Dougie Freedman appeared the most likely candidate to become Manchester United’s new recruitment chief.
And with good reason. As Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner put it during the height of those Manchester United rumours, Dougie Freedman’s knowledge of players around the globe is almost unmatched.
The duo had only been working together at Selhurst Park for two weeks before Glasner labelled Freedman ‘a great sporting director and a great person’.
It was on his watch that Crystal Palace became one of the leading destinations for the very best young talent in the EFL. And with Freedman still in situ at Palace – he opted to stay in South London with Man United shifting their focus to Wilcox and Dan Ashworth – it will come as no surprise to see Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg linked with a move to The Eagles.
United In Focus have been told by transfer expert Graeme Bailey that Man United are ‘firmly in the mix’ for Rigg.
But with The Sun reporting that Crystal Palace are plotting a potential £20 million move of their own ahead of the January window, the chance to take the same route as EFL graduates Ebere Eze, Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton is one that should appeal to Sunderland’s 17-year-old sensation.
Chris Rigg ‘destined’ to join Manchester United amid Crystal Palace links
“Crystal Palace, as we know, are well versed at signing young players, developing them and then moving them on for big money,” former England international Carlton Palmer tells Football League World.
“They’ve done this really well in the past, with the likes of Michael Olise.”
Rigg would probably find regular first-team football easier to come by at Crystal Palace than at Man United. At least, initially.
But Palmer, once of Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Southampton amongst others, still feels that while Palace’s record when it comes to making signings of this ilk deserves huge respect, Rigg’s talent is such that the teenager could afford to cut out the middle man and head directly to a genuine A-list institution.
“For me, he’s the most talented player in the Championship,” adds Palmer. “I think he’s going to have a fantastic future. He is destined to move to a big club. He’s destined to end up at Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal or Liverpool.
“He’s the most talented player in the Championship, and he’s destined for great things. I’m not saying don’t go to Crystal Palace because he could go there and kick on to go to another big club. We’ve seen that happen before.
“But what he doesn’t want to do is make that move and not play at Palace.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
United chasing wonderkids as Jude Bellingham miss haunts Red Devils
Interestingly, Rigg has been likened to United legend Bryan Robson by some in scouting circles.
Man United’s determination to land the England Under 18 captain has potentially been driven by their inability to sign the last teenage midfielder – a certain Jude Bellingham – to leave the Championship for much bigger things.
With Ineos determined to make Old Trafford home to the next generation of footballing superstars, Man United are also chasing Sverre Nypan of Rosenborg. River Plate winger Franco Mastantuono is also a player with plenty of admirers.
United hope to beat Real Madrid to another wonderkid so soon after luring Leny Yoro to England’s north west.
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