Morgan Rogers: Chelsea make huge call on pursuit of United target | OneFootball

Manchester United’s pursuit of Aston Villa sensation Morgan Rogers is unlikely to be a straightforward affair. The Red Devils are preparing for another fresh start after Ruben Amorim’s failed 14-month tenure, which marked several disappointing moments, not least a 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last season.

The Portuguese head coach is now part of the wide mix of managers who have tried and failed to revive the fallen English giants in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. Caretaker manager Michael Carrick’s arrival has steadied the ship and also brought a welcome change in results, with United now preparing for a vital summer ahead.

A new permanent manager is expected to be appointed before the start of the new campaign, but the Red Devils are also likely to invest heavily in the squad. A new midfielder is the absolute priority, but the English giants could also be tempted to lay down succession plans for Bruno Fernandes, who will turn 32 in September and is already in the final 18 months of his contract.

A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person states that Rogers has been identified as a possible candidate to eventually fill the shoes of United’s mercurial skipper.

Proven in the Premier League

Rogers rose through the ranks at West Bromwich Albion and joined Manchester City in 2019. However, the Englishman spent most of his spell with the Cityzens out on loan before leaving the Etihad permanently to join Middlesbrough in 2023.

It was at the Riverside Stadium that Rogers caught the eye of Villa, especially after scoring five goals in Boro’s run to the EFL Cup semi-finals and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer in the 2023/24 campaign. The Birmingham-based club secured his signature in the summer of 2024, and the 23 year old has been outstanding so far.

Last season, Rogers scored 14 goals and set up 16 more in 54 games in all competitions. This year, he has managed nine goals and seven assists in 34 outings across competitions and is now an integral part of Unai Emery’s setup.

Morgan Rogers Premier League Career Stats

Source: Premier League website.

Rogers brings Premier League-proven quality that United have desired in their recent signings and could be a fantastic successor for their Portuguese skipper at the Theatre of Dreams. However, it now appears that Chelsea are already working to ruin their plans.

Chelsea leading Rogers race

According to Fichajes, Chelsea have stepped up their efforts to sign Rogers this summer. The London giants are enticed by the player’s ability to carry out multiple roles in attack and are now the favourites in the race for his signature.

The report adds that Aston Villa are poised to demand £80-100 million for their prized asset, who is under contract until 2031, but that has not deterred the Blues. Arsenal were previously eyeing the Englishman but have now cooled their interest.

United are also mentioned in the report, but it adds that Chelsea are at the front of the queue due to their superior proposal. The Blues are also prioritising a deal for Rogers ahead of alternative targets.

Final Thoughts

United’s priority is likely to be the midfield this summer, so their pursuit of Rogers could depend on the incoming permanent manager as well as Bruno Fernandes’ future. However, there’s no denying that the Englishman could further elevate United’s already impressive attack.

Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social