Man Utd planning to turn 17-year-old into SUPERSTAR

Robin Bairner

2 Nov 2024 22:15 GMT
5 min read

Chris Rigg, Man Utd, Sunderland, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United have turned their attention to Sunderland teenager Chris Rigg, with the intention of signing the youngster and transforming him into a “superstar”.

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Rigg, 17, has sparkled with the Championship side this season, with the attacking midfielder already having scored three goals for the in-form Black Cats.

Out injured for the clash against QPR in London on Saturday, his side were only able to secure a 0-0 draw.

Already an England U18 international, Rigg has attracted major interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs, and according to Football Insider, Man Utd are ready to go all out to grab the youngster and make him the future of their midfield.

PROFILE: Who is Chris Rigg? The Sunderland sensation wanted by Real Madrid, Man Utd and Liverpool

Chelsea and Real Madrid are also following the youngster’s progress, but it is United who appear to be keenest to poach him.

Signing Rigg, though, promises to be a major challenge. The teenager is under contract with Sunderland until June 2027, having signed a new deal in the summer, while the Black Cats are set to demand a lavish fee for him.

Sunderland have set their asking price for the midfielder between €24-35 million.

According to the report: “Man United want to buy the young gem and allow him to grow into a superstar and make his name at the club.”

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Chris Rigg: The Ineos ideal

Rigg encapsulates the type of deal that Manchester United are trying to make under Ineos.

They are aiming to sign young players and develop them into stars rather than spending the big bucks to attract readymade talent to the club.

His name has regularly been linked with that of Man Utd in recent months, with Rigg getting the billing of being the ‘next Jude Bellingham’.

The indications are, though, that United are casting their net wide and studying the possibility of signing one of several 17-year-olds, with three names in particular on their shortlist, of which one is Rigg.