Man Utd set to miss out on Sunderland starlet | OneFootball

A January move to Old Trafford doesn't seem to be on the horizon for talented youngster Chris Rigg.

Manchester United are set to miss out on Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg during the January window, with the Black Cats unwilling to sanction a sale.

This is according to Give Me Sport, who believe the Wearside outfit are set to remain stubborn in their quest to retain the 17-year-old.

Rigg has been the subject of interest from other teams for some time now, having made his first-team debut back in January 2023.

He hasn't become a regular starter until this season though, with the teenager being given a real opportunity to shine under Regis Le Bris.

Starting the season very well and getting himself on the scoresheet a few times, the goals have dried up since then, but he remains a key part of Le Bris' plans and he looks on course to win plenty of game time during the second half of this season.

This is on the condition he remains at the Stadium of Light.

The player has attracted a high volume of interest in recent months, with Chelsea and Real Madrid believed to be among the other teams to have taken an interest in the youngster.

Manchester United to miss out on January deal for Chris Rigg

According to Give Me Sport, the Black Cats remain determined not to sanction a January window exit for Rigg.

They are keen not to sell the 17-year-old - because they believe cashing in on the teenager could potentially derail their promotion push - having seen him become a key part of Le Bris' plans.

The Red Devils are in pole position to recruit Rigg, but they aren't the only English team interested in the player, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also thought to be keen.

But all three teams may need to wait until the summer to have any chance of recruiting him.

Chris Rigg should benefit from Sunderland stay

Rigg needs game time at this stage of his career - and the SoL is where he's going to get it.

This statement will be argued by some, considering he's only 17 and lots of players his age still have a long way to go before reaching the first team.

However, having made the step up to a senior level, he won't want to move back to academy football.

And to accelerate his development, it would benefit him to continue playing against senior players every week.

Rigg can assess his future at the end of the season. But until then, he needs to be fully focused on his current side.