Christian Pulisic to Manchester United? Transfer rumors are heating up around the USMNT star

Christian Pulisic began the most important season of his young career on the Chelsea bench. He narrowly missed out in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham and with the World Cup three months away and the transfer window still open, rumors of a possible move from Chelsea began to swirl.

Newcastle United are reportedly interested in the US star. Juventus, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid have also been linked with Pulisic.

And now Manchester United too.

Andy Mitten, a veteran journalist who has covered United for decades, reported on Wednesday that the Red Devils are “considering” loaning Pulisic. ESPN reported that United have contacted Chelsea about the possibility.

Among the several clubs obviously interested, Mitten reported that Pulisic “would prefer Manchester United”.

Pulisic has never publicly expressed a desire to leave Chelsea this summer, but multiple reports suggest he is growing frustrated with scant playing time and open to a move.

Earlier in the summer, Pulisic hinted at that frustration at a US men’s national team camp. “I mean, of course I want to get more playing time,” he said. “I want to be on the field as much as possible and be as good as possible and also be fit.”

A month later, the competition for playing time intensified. Chelsea have signed Raheem Sterling from Manchester City. Pulisic’s place on coach Thomas Tuchel’s depth chart became clear. He struggled for a better spot throughout preseason but The Guardian reported last week that Tuchel “doesn’t trust Pulisic”. He came on in the 65th minute of Chelsea’s EPL opener against Everton and in the 85th minute of last weekend’s home opener against Spurs.

Reports from England are increasingly suggesting that Chelsea would be willing to let Pulisic go – at least on loan. His contract has two more seasons to run. The transfer window closes on September 1st.

However, it’s unclear how strong the interest really is from Man United, Newcastle, Juventus or others. Reports of United’s interest poured in during a turbulent week that began and continued with a crisis-inducing 4-0 defeat at Brentford Chaos in the club’s directionless hunt for new players.

The story goes on

It also remains unclear whether Pulisic would prefer to join Newcastle, a midfield club that doesn’t qualify for European competitions, or stay at Chelsea and try to play his way onto the field – whether in the Premier League, Champions League or League Cup .

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter was asked in Minneapolis last week ahead of the MLS All-Star game if he was concerned about Pulisic’s situation.

“He’s a fighter. You’ll see, he’ll come onto the field,” Berhalter said. “I mean, every year it’s like, ‘He might not be a starter.’ Every year you hear that. And every year he ends up on the field because of his performance, he’s a goalscorer, he’s a winner.

“What I’ve seen from him over the past few years is that his mentality has completely changed and he’s embracing things like that. He’s not afraid of challenges like this. And I’m excited to see how he performs this year.”