Manchester United must copy Aston Villa strategy and sign “mesmerising” wonderkid to stop six-year trend

Manchester United have their eye on the talented Championship starlet Chris Rigg ahead of the summer transfer window.

It is no secret that Manchester United’s transfer strategy is changing under the new leadership, with young stars who can be developed into world class players being the priority.

United have not signed a single player over the age of 26 since INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe took charge and that trend is likely to continue in the coming transfer windows.

Ruben Amorim needs significant improvements to his United squad next summer, though, and targets are already being looked at, including Championship starlet Chris Rigg.

Rigg is reportedly open to a United move and the Sunderland midfielder is likely to be on the move once the season finishes, especially if the Black Cats are not promoted.

United have also been linked with Jobe Bellingam and various other Championship players, which some supporters are not entirely convinced about.

United must copy Villa strategy as Rigg transfer considered

Yet, all you need to look at is a club like Aston Villa and see how their use of the Championship in the transfer window has helped them.

Morgan Rogers has not only been one of Villa’s best players this season, but he has also been one of the standout performers in the Premier League.

The midfielder has 11 goals and six assists so far in his debut campaign after moving from Middlesbrough in the summer for an initial £8 million.

Rogers’ success is no anomaly either. Whether it be Jude Bellingham moving from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund, Archie Gray moving from Leeds to Tottenham or Joao Pedro going from Watford to Brighton – these players, if scouted well, can often take to the next step extremely well.

Championship move would end six-year trend at United

Rigg has been described as “mesmerising” by Sunderland captain Luke O’Nien and it would likely be no surprise to those at the Stadium of Light if he moves to a top Premier League side in the summer.

Amorim is also desperate to get players who can handle the physicality levels needed in England’s top flight and young players from the Championship are almots guaranteed to have what it takes.

You can even look at Amad, who has been United’s best player this season. Most of his development came in the Championship and he was ready for the top flight soon afterwards.

Interestingly, United have not signed a player from the county’s second division since Daniel James in 2019. It has now been six years while United have watched other clubs take advantage of that market.

Read More: Ruben Amorim “keeps telling” Sir Jim Ratcliffe the same thing about Manchester United transfers, says Fabrizio Romano

With an increased focus on youth signings at Old Trafford now, it feels like a missed opportunity if the club do not target the Championship and get players like Rigg into the club as part of this rebuild.

You only have to look at Villa and Rogers this season to see what United have been missing out on.

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