Update emerges as Man Utd plan big Sunderland AFC, Chris Rigg transfer raid | OneFootball

Chris Rigg continues to be linked with a move from Sunderland to Premier League giants Manchester United.

Sunderland midfield star Chris Rigg remains a target for Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window.

Rigg has been a revelation for Sunderland in the early stages of the 2024/25 season, showcasing maturity well beyond his years. Operating primarily as a central or attacking midfielder, the 17-year-old has become a key figure in Regis Le Bris' young side, showcasing remarkable consistency for his tender age.

There are a number of sides keeping tabs on his progress, but few appear to be more keen on him than Man United. The latest report from Give Me Sport on the "special" Sunderland midfielder, who has taken his development to a new level in 2024/25 so far.

Rigg made a breakthrough into senior football when making his debut well over 12 months ago under Tony Mowbray in an FA Cup third round clash against Shrewsbury Town. He scored three goals last season, with one coming in an EFL Cup tie against Crewe, another earlier in the season in a 5-0 thumping of Southampton, and the last during a 5-1 loss to Blackburn Rovers.

Featuring as often as he has at his age was always likely to catch the eye, and Premier League and Bundesliga clubs have been linked, with many keen to get involved in the midfielder due to his potential as a player long-term. Rigg is still only 17 now, yet plays well beyond his years and has been one of the Black Cats' leading stars in recent months as Regis Le Bris' side set the early pace in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

Rigg made 21 league appearances across the course of the 2023/24 Championship campaign and was reportedly being eyed by Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and the Red Devils before penning his first professional contract earlier in the summer, where Sunderland successfully brokered a three-year deal.

He has played for the Black Cats since primary school, with Rigg born in Hebburn, which is a town in the South Tyneside borough of Tyne and Wear. His performances have been remarkable for someone so young, following in the footsteps of Leeds United's teen sensation of last year, Archie Gray.

Manchester United's interest in Chris Rigg

Rigg has been a regular starter in the second-tier since the start of this campaign, and bagged important goals against Middlesbrough, Leeds, and Luton Town while earning the Championship Young Player of the Month award for September, and his impressive performances have unsurprisingly won him some high-profile admirers.

He has previously been linked with a move away from the Black Cats, with the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea all interested in the midfielder. The team with the strongest interest has been reported to be Man United, according to talkSPORT.

The Red Devils could move for the player as early as January, after seeing him shine during the early stages of the 2024/25 campaign. That is because he is the type of young player that INEOS want to build their team around, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them make a winter offer for the midfielder.

The latest from Give Me Sport states that they are closely monitoring the youngster as they look to bolster their youth ranks over the coming months and that they could be set to make a move for Sunderland's highest potential youngster imminently.

The youngster is seen as the type of player who represents the amount of potential that the higher ups want to bring into their squad as they shape the club's evolution for the future with more homegrown talents. There is a belief that he could form a strong partnership alongside fellow youngster Kobbie Mainoo in their midfield for years to come.

Chris Rigg's potential

While it would be a surprise to see him fulfil his deal until 2027, it was a huge move for the club that made sure that they will now receive a sizeable fee if he does move on soon, be that to the Premier League giants or elsewhere. Having only celebrated his 17th birthday back in June, Rigg's technical attributes, awareness, tenacity, composure, and confidence in possession all belie his youthful years.

He is offering energy and intelligence that have made him hard to overlook. His positioning and awareness in attacking areas give the Black Cats a weapon in transition, linking up effectively with the other young midfielders and forwards at the club. Despite his youth, he’s shown poise in high-stakes situations, proving instrumental in several tight matches against other promotion hopefuls already.

What stands out most is his technical skill combined with a natural composure, which has earned him respect from both teammates and fans. As Sunderland look to push up the Championship table, Rigg’s progression could be a game-changer in their campaign, and Premier League football beckons next season for him one way or another.