I coached Chris Rigg and he's destined for the very top amid Manchester United transfer links

It was another start and another goal for Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg last week as Manchester United watch on. The Red Devils are among a number of clubs reportedly tracking the highly-rated England youth international - who continues to boast some of the best statistics in front of goal for players under the age of 20.

Only Lamine Yamal boasted better goal-creating actions per 90 minutes this season for players 20 or younger, than Rigg - a sensational statistic given the hype around the Barcelona winger. Despite the likes of Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and United being linked with Rigg, he continues to play without pressure, maintaining his bright start to the campaign.

His goal against Leeds United was his fifth in 35 senior appearances for Sunderland - another impressive statistic given he only turned 17 in June earlier this year. Growing up in Hebburn, a town slap bang in between Newcastle and Sunderland, the two North east clubs battled it out for his signature as a youngster, with Rigg opting to sign forms with the Black Cats, rather than the team he supported as a youngster.

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Rigg spent the majority of his youth playing for Tyneside Pumas, before joining Sunderland as an eight-year-old, but would also play Futsal to a national standard with his mates at Hebburn Town - after befriending coach Steve Richardson's son Harry during their time in the Monkton youth leagues.

"My son - Harry and Riggy are best friends," Richardson told the Manchester Evening News: "They played against each other when they were