Man Utd identify wonderkid as 'MUST-HAVE' summer signing

Tom Weber

Updated: 11 Feb 2025 21:38 GMT
3 min read

Manchester United have identified Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg as a 'must-have' summer signing, according to a report.

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The 17-year-old has established himself as one of English football's most exciting up-and-coming talents. Despite his youth, Rigg has already made 54 senior appearances for Sunderland and continues to impress.

This season, the central midfielder has notched four goals and an assist in 27 appearances for the Black Cats in the Championship. Unsurprisingly, links with elite teams have been incessant.

The club most persistently linked with Rigg are Man Utd. The Red Devils have been keeping tabs on the teenager since at least 2023 and believe that they are well-placed to snap him up.

In fact, Man Utd consider the England youth international to be a 'must-have' signing for the upcoming summer window.

Man Utd want Rigg

At least that is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who reports that Man Utd are desperate to sign the Sunderland star. “Manchester United are determined not to lose out on Chris Rigg and he is one of their key targets this summer,” he told United In Focus.

“We can reveal that United’s top scouts have been working on Rigg avidly since 2023 and they are convinced that the young all-action midfielder is a ‘must-have’ for the club.

“We understand that United were one of a number of clubs who showed a close interest in Rigg last summer before he penned his first professional contract.

“The Black Cats hope that promotion would mean they keep Rigg in the short-term although as a club they accept that the Hebburn-born starlet is one of the most wanted young players in world football – with Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund both hugely keen.

“Every major Premier League cub is keen, but it is believed that a move to Old Trafford is appealing to him, admiring their pursuit of him.” Last week, it was claimed that Rigg would cost around €30 million in the summer.