United want to add a central midfielder to their squad this summer and hold an interest in Atalanta ace Ederson. It is unclear whether United will make a move for the Brazilian at the end of the season.United want to add a central midfielder to their squad this summer and hold an interest in Atalanta ace Ederson. It is unclear whether United will make a move for the Brazilian at the end of the season.
United want to add a central midfielder to their squad this summer and hold an interest in Atalanta ace Ederson. It is unclear whether United will make a move for the Brazilian at the end of the season. | AFP via Getty Images
Man United have been linked to signing a midfielder from the Championship this summer to improve in the middle of the park
Man United should sign Hayden Hackney instead of Ederson
The Red Devils are reportedly interested in Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is regarded to be one of the best in Europe. He is expected to command a transfer fee of around £60m, and would likely demand high wages if he were to move to Man United. It is not yet known whether he would join United, as they don’t participate in European football, but even so, Amorim and the Red Devils are keen to bring him in, according to reports.
However, the £60m price tag could be tough to match considering that United have already spent £62.5m on Cunha, and are expected to pay around £60m for Mbeumo and Gyokeres each. Instead, United could sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, who they have also reportedly shown an interest in. According to GiveMeSport, United are among a group of Premier League teams that are keen to sign the 22-year-old.
They report that Middlesbrough have set a £20m price tag for Hackney after they sacked manager Michael Carrick last week. Tottenham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are all said to be interested in the midfielder too. Hackney has been hailed by many pundits and managers alike as a special talent. Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder spoke to the Northern Echo about Hackney after the Blades beat Boro earlier in the year.
He said: “I’ve got to say, I think Hayden Hackney is the outstanding midfielder in the division for such a tender age. He’s been absolutely amazing!”
How would Hayden Hackney fit into Man United’s team?
Seeing as he is younger and not experienced in the Premier League, it would be a surprise to see Amorim start him every game next season should United sign him, but his role would likely increase as the year moves on. Hackney plays as an attacking midfielder, who likes to create chances for his strikers to pounce upon, something that could get exciting with the potential to have Mbeumo, Cunha and Gyokeres in front of him.
The English midfielder made 43 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough last season, scoring five goals and providing three assists. But it is the passing statistics that show just how good Hackney is. Last season he had the most passes into the penalty area than any Championship player (52), and more progressive passes than any other player last season (285). Hackney also was second in the ranks in the second division for passes into the final third (245). He loves to create, and that is exactly the sort of midfielder that Amorim has been crying out for.
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