Manchester United can only wonder what might have been, if the club were successful signing Jude Bellingham back in 2020.
Jude Bellingham was at Carrington to check out the club amid Manchester United’s interest from Birmingham City.
Frustratingly, United were unable to get the deal done, with Bellingham preferring a move to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund. He is now a possible Ballon d’Or contender with Real Madrid.
Sir Alex Ferguson was reportedly frustrated with United’s failed pitch, while Bryan Robson said he believed United had the deal done. It wasn’t meant to be.
Now, a similar situation be may set to occur with United battling Bundesliga interest for one of the Championship’s top talents.
Manchester United want to sign Chris Rigg
Manchester United are pushing to sign Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg, rated as one of the country’s best young midfielders.
We Are Sunderland report Manchester United are set to make a ‘formal offer’ for the 16-year-old.
Rigg will be eligible to sign professional terms with a new club from June 18.
The report states: “It is Manchester United that are poised to make the strongest move for Rigg, with the teenager understood to figure prominently in the new Old Trafford regime’s attempts to overhaul their academy set-up.”
Rigg actually plays alongside Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe at Sunderland, and there are comparisons with alternate interest from the Bundesliga.
The Sun report Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are watching Chris Rigg and are interested in a summer move.
It would be very disappointing for United to lose out on another young midfielder with high potential in similar circumstances.
Who is Chris Rigg
Manchester United have long standing interest in Rigg dating back to a year ago, but the Red Devils did not want to pay Sunderland’s asking price.
He was first linked to the club back in January 2023, shortly before he made his professional debut at the age of 15.
Rigg has gone on to make 21 appearances from Sunderland this season in the Championship, scoring twice.
He is an England youth international with 11 caps for the under-17s and three for the under-18s, and he has teamed up with promising United youngster Shea Lacey for the Three Lions.
It is easy to see how he is on the radar of United’s scouts, and Riggs is the type of young player the club should be targeting to build around for the future.
Let’s see if the club can actually get it done this time, or if Rigg will become another one that got away.
