Manchester United’s attentions are set to turn toward the midfield after the front line has been overhauled by Ineos.
The priority this summer for Manchester United has been to bolster the attack after an all-time Premier League low goal tally was accumulated in the 2024-25 campaign.
After scoring just 44 goals, United’s addition of Matheus Cunha is a welcome boost to the ranks after he scored 15 goals last season. Ineos plan to go further, with United in talks to sign Bryan Mbeumo, which is a deal believed to be at an advanced stage right now.
Ineos seems to be prioritising strengthening domestically, with players who have proven they can handle English football.
Viktor Gyokeres is another United target who ticks the English football box with his impressive Championship performances for Coventry before he joined Sporting CP.
The Championship is also currently home to long-term United target Chris Rigg, while Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney is another who is known to have caught the eye at times over the past year.
Photo by Jack Thomas - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Jack Thomas – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
What Manchester United are thinking about Hayden Hackney
Hackney has been on the cusp of taking a step up over the past couple of seasons, yet during the 2024-25 campaign, he placed himself firmly in the minds of Premier League clubs.
Now, United in Focus have spoken with transfer expert and Middlesbrough supporter, Graeme Bailey, who has explained the situation around Hackney.
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“Hayden Hackney’s performances were one of the few plus points of Middlesbrough’s season – he has come on leaps and bounds on Carrick – no getting away from that.
“A host of Premier League clubs like him, and it will be very hard to see Middlesbrough keeping hold of him this summer.
“United are aware of Hackney, we know they have been doing work on the Championship in recent months, and he is one of those players who has impressed them.”
Bailey adds that United are not leading the race, nor is Hackney top of the list for Ineos’ midfield rebuild this summer. That being said, he is clearly a player who is rated, with United speaking to Michael Carrick about him in the past 12 months.
In addition, Give Me Sport has claimed that Hackney is available for around £20m this summer, a figure which could lure suitors.
United have long been interested in Hackney, and this summer looks set to be when he makes his move, whether or not that be to Old Trafford remains to be seen.
Hayden Hackney is becoming one of Europe’s most impressive young midfielders
While Middlesbrough has sacked Carrick, the impact he has had on Hackney will remain, with the United icon turning the 22-year-old into one of the best in his age category.
Hackney is a deep-lying playmaker by trade, with his on-ball abilities from deep exactly what Ruben Amorim will be looking for in his midfield next season.
The England U21 international created 3.92 shots per 90 last season, ranking in the 91st percentile among his positional peers in the next best 14 leagues.
Similarly, he completed 10.44 progressive passes and 2.8 progressive carries per 90, which ranked in the 99th and 97th percentile, respectively, as per FBRef.
The one caveat is that he has done it in the Championship; however, his qualities are scalable, and if United wanted Jobe Bellingham, Hackney is currently the better player, making him a strong contender should Ineos decide to make a move.