Impressive Sunderland starlet Chris Rigg has long been linked with a move to Manchester United – but he may need to tone it down in training if Tony Mowbray’s remarks are anything to go by
Incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim could have his hands full in training if £25million target and Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg ends up joining.
The 17-year-old sensation has been a key figure in Sunderland’s charge to the top of the Championship, netting three times and trailing only behind teammates Romaine Mundle and Wilson Isidor in the goal charts.
Rigg, who has been on United’s radar since he was 14, has openly shared his dream of reaching the pinnacle of football. Mowbray, who handed Rigg his professional debut at just 15 years old in January 2023, praised the teen last year for his commitment and vigour during training sessions.
Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, former boss Tony Mowbray said: “Chris is doing very well, he’s a very robust kid who trains with us every day,” adding: “He’s a joy to watch in training, to be honest.
“He doesn’t worry about who the big stars are in our team or anything like that, he will scythe them down if the ball is there to be won. I’m screaming ‘woah, woah’ sometimes on the sidelines because I can see his focus on the ball and that he is about to smash into somebody to get it,” reports the Manchester Evening News.
Mowbray’s words of wisdom could prove fruitful for incoming United manager Amorim, cautioning that he might need to step in during training sessions just as he did, should Rigg depart his boyhood club for the glamour of Manchester.
“I shouldn’t be stopping him and normally I don’t but sometimes if it’s the day before a game… and I did do recently when I saw that he was about to fly into a 50-50 with Jobe,” he added. “But listen, that is a great quality. And he is a lovely footballer, too. Even at such a young age, he is a leader through what he does and how he trains, an amazing kid given his age.”
Having briefly led Birmingham as Wayne Rooney’s successor this year, before resigning over health issues after four months, Mowbray maintains confidence in Rigg’s bright future, highlighting his work ethic as key.
“I enjoy watching the careers of the players that I’ve worked with and Riggy is one where you are thinking to yourself, where is he going to be when I watch him in 10 years time and he’s 25, 26?”
“In my opinion, undoubtedly at a top team in the Premier League if he keeps working like he does. Let’s hope that top team is Sunderland, competing to get into Europe.”
Rigg has been linked with a number of top clubs, including United and Real Madrid since his breakthrough, and is reported to be valued around the £25m by his Championship club.
