Man Utd looking to erase Bellingham demons with transfer for 'new Roy Keane'

Updated: 22 Sep 2024 05:23 CDT
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Roy Keane, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are tracking a wonderkid who the club believe can be the ‘next Roy Keane’ and can erase any memories of missing out on Jude Bellingham as a youngster.

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United were one of the many sides who tried to sign Bellingham when he left Birmingham as a 17-year-old but the midfielder opted to move to Dortmund instead.

Bellingham has since gone onto become one of the world’s standout players for Real Madrid and United believe that Sunderland’s Chris Rigg could have similar potential, according to HITC.

United have tracked Rigg since he was 15 and are continuing to monitor the teenager after he broke into Sunderland’s first team last season.

The 17-year-old has continued his impressive progress into this season and United scouts are said to feel Rigg could be the club’s ‘next Bryan Robson or Roy Keane’, paving the way for a future transfer.

United tried to sign Rigg this summer before he penned his first professional contract with Sunderland but a deal could now be brokered in January ahead of a summer move.

© IMAGO - Chris Rigg has broken into Sunderland's first team.

Sunderland ‘bracing’ themselves for Rigg offers

Rigg grabbed his first goal of the season in the Wear-Tees derby against Middlesbrough this weekend with an impressive flicked effort, which would have only endeared himself further to United scouts.

The young midfielder has not looked to leave Sunderland and appears happy to continue his first team progress at the club, however the Championship side are believed to be ‘bracing’ themselves for offers soon.

United would face competition from a number of sides for Rigg’s signature including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, while Dortmund could also look to repeat their Bellingham trick by moving for the Sunderland wonderkid.

Newcastle also maintain a strong interest in Rigg due to the player growing up a fan of the club but his family are insisting that he will not just pick his local side.