Premier League rivals take advantage of Man Utd confusion with £20m January bid

Suraj Radia

• 7 Nov 2024 16:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United could miss out on a long-term transfer target, with a number of Premier League rivals aiming to capitalise on the managerial situation at Old Trafford to seal a deal for a hotly-contested wonderkid.

United are still currently being led by interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy after Erik ten Hag’s sacking last month, with Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim having agreed to join after the international break next weekend.

However, Amorim will likely take time to assess United’s squad and implement his system before considering any January signings, leading to rivals moving in on key targets.

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal dream, Man Utd doubts - the future of Viktor Gyokeres

According to The Sun, one target who could be under threat is Chris Rigg, with the Sunderland wonderkid wanted by Crystal Palace among other sides.

Rigg was the second-youngest player to ever play for Sunderland and the 17-year-old has been a first team regular for the Championship leaders, scoring three times in 12 games.

The attacking midfielder’s form has led to Palace considering a move and trying to secure a deal before United make a decision on the transfer targets under Amorim.

Palace aiming to repeat Wharton trick to beat Man Utd to Rigg signing

Man Utd have scouted Rigg for a number of years, with the club believing the teenager could have an impact similar to Roy Keane by becoming a long-term mainstay in the team.

The likes of Newcastle and Dortmund have also been linked to Rigg but Palace could push the hardest for him, having seen success in signing Adam Wharton in a similar fashion last year.

Wharton joined Palace in €20 million deal from Championship side Blackburn mid-way through last season and his form in the second-half of the season led to the 20-year-old being named in England’s squad for the European Championships.

Rigg is thought to have similar potential and Sunderland handed the youngster a three-year contract during the summer in the hopes of dashing any interest in their talisman, who has been compared to Jude Bellingham.

Although Rigg has not pushed for an exit as of yet, a move to the Premier League could be tempting, however no decision has been made over his future, with Sunderland leading the battle for promotion so far this season.