Manchester United are looking to strengthen the wonderkid list at the club with Sunderland’s Chris Rigg.
This is as the link between Manchester United’s academy and the first team is as strong as ever with several special talents in the ranks currently battling to be the latest Carrington Academy graduate.
Jack Fletcher, Harry Amass and Gabriele Biancheri are all currently impressing in academy football as they bid to become the next Kobbie Mainoo.
Not content with the luxury of youth prospects in the ranks at Old Trafford, Ineos have placed an emphasis on recruiting talented teenagers – signing some true gems in the process.
Chido Obi-Martin will be arriving from Arsenal, joining Samuel Lusale who has arrived from Crystal Palace and also Malian wonderkid Sekou Kone from Guidars FC who joined on deadline day.
But even this is not enough as now Sunderland’s Chris Rigg is being eyed as a target.
Manchester United tipped to sign Chris Rigg
As far as midfield talents in England go, few are better than Rigg and he is showing that this season in the Championship despite being just 17.
His immense form for the Black Cats has alerted plenty of big clubs to his talent and now speaking with journalist Graeme Bailey, he has revealed to United in Focus an update on the talent’s future.
“I actually think he will probably end up at United, that’s the crux of it and I think they are pushing hard.
“United are huge fans of him, they like him a lot. Basically, it will come down to the player himself when it comes time to do a deal for him – I personally expect that to be done in January.
“We are going to see the battle emerge in the coming weeks and months, and United are firmly in the mix. But it may not even be in England as Dortmund likes him as well, wherever he wants his next club to be he will have that option.
“We are talking £20m-£30m for Chris Rigg. He’d be a first-team signing.”
This follows a firm offer being made by United prior to the summer when Rigg actually signed a new contract – prioritising game-time for now but he’s expected to leave.
After discussing the possible move and United’s chances, it is added that Rigg has been seen as a Bryan Robson-like talent by scouts.
“I think the United link is intriguing because even since he was quite young, when he was 15 it was interesting a scout said to me that Rigg was the ‘nearest thing to Bryan Robson he had ever seen’.”
Rigg and Robson are both from a similar part of the world and if he joins United it could be a match made in heaven.
Robson is of course an Old Trafford legend so having even half his impact on the club could see this move considered a success – something we would be confident he can achieve considering Jason Wilcox and Dan Ashworth have an excellent eye for talent.
How England U18 star fits in at Old Trafford
Signing Rigg could see United avoid missing out on the hottest prospect coming through in the EFL, as happened with Jude Bellingham – this is the level Rigg is perceived to be at.
United’s interest in Rigg is not new, as reports in 2023 suggested that John Murtough turned down the chance to sign RIgg for £3m.
If finally signed, chances are Rigg would skip the academy, instead heading straight for Erik ten Hag’s first-team squad where he would be integrated slowly but surely as we expect Leny Yoro will be upon his return from injury.
He’d likely sit behind both Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in the pecking order but ahead of anyone else – while stifling the chances of Toby Collyer.
This being said, having watched Rigg a handful of times it is unlikely United would depend on him in the Premier League just yet as he is raw and so the perfect outcome could be he is loaned back to Sunderland until June after a deal is agreed to sign him in January.
With Rigg, United could have a future midfield sorted along with Kone and Mainoo – all three are teenagers and could be set for careers at the highest level. Ineos‘ policy of signing the next big thing is beginning to take shape, now we await the fruits.
Rigg would be a hell of a signing, and one which would surely be a tremendous success, and yet another statement by Ineos.
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