Man Utd transfer blow as Christian Pulisic’s US national team boss adamant midfielder will fight for Chelsea career

CHRISTIAN PULISIC will fight his way into Thomas Tuchel's starting XI despite concerns over game time, according to his USA boss.

Gregg Berhalter, the USA manager, has backed the American winger to force his way into Tuchel's side before the World Cup in November.

Pulisic, 23, is a loan target for winless Manchester United as a desperate Erik ten Hag scraps for signings before the window closes.

But Chelsea are prepared to play hardball and would want almost all of the £58million they forked out for him in 2019 in a permanent sale if Pulisic was to leave.

The former Borussia Dortmund winner, dubbed Captain America back home, has played just 31 minutes across two sub appearances for Tuchel so far this season.

With the World Cup just months away, Berhalter, 49, will want his star man playing regularly.

But he has no concerns over Pulisic and knows he will rise to the challenge at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking at an MLS event, Berhalter said: "He's a fighter, you're gonna see he's gonna get on the field.

"He may not be a starter, every year you hear that and every year he ends up on the field because of his contribution.

"He's a goalscorer. He's a winner.

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"What I've seen from him in the last couple of years is his mentality has completely shifted and he embraces stuff like this.

"He's not scared of challenges like this and I'm excited to see how he performs this year."

Pulisic has 21 goals in 50 appearances for the USA and will face off against England in the group stages on November 25.