Manchester United have been tipped to make a move for young Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney as part of their summer transfer plans.
The Red Devils will be in the market for a new midfielder in the summer transfer window, with suggestions they could even sign two in the position with Casemiro leaving the club at the expiration of his contract.
A number of high-profile players have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali all on the United shortlist.
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Kobbie Mainoo's return to form under interim manager Michael Carrick could halt the Red Devils making a move to sign two of the above players, but could lead to them making a play for a cheaper alternative to bolster squad numbers.
And that is where Hackney comes in.
The 23-year-old has been tipped to make the step up to the Premier League this summer, although that could be with Middlesbrough, with the north east outfit second in the table with ten games of the season to play.
Talksport reporter Alex Crook believes United could make a move for Hackney this summer to "supplement" a bigger name signing.
He said: "A couple of other names that have been mentioned to me in the last couple of days - Mateus Fernandes at West Ham, he's starting to play really well for them and a cheaper option potentially, if you're just looking for extra numbers in midfield is Hayden Hackney at Middlesbrough - someone who's played under Michael Carrick, someone a lot of Premier League have looked at.
"So it wouldn't surprise me if they signed one of those big guns, the likes of Baleba, Wharton, Anderson, Tonali, and then bring in a Hayden Hackney or Mateus Fernandes to supplement that because I'm just not convinced they can spend the level of money to buy Baleba and Wharton say."
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Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick
Making a move to sign Hackney could be an indication that Carrick is in the running for the job on a permanent basis, having worked with the midfielder during the three years he was in charge at the Riverside.
Speaking about the player in 2024, Carrick said: "He’s been exemplary really since I’ve been here and I really enjoy working with him. He’s desperate for more, desperate to learn, and he’s a real credit to his family, to himself and to the club.
"He’s grounded, he’s humble, he’s down to earth and loves to learn. He loves the place and he loves the club as well.
"To have that, added with the talent he has got, it’s the perfect scenario. I think it just shows his consistency really, over a long period of time. It’s not easy when you’re a younger player, but he’s certainly done that."
Carrick has impressed since taking over from Ruben Amorim, with a 75% win ratio from his eight games in charge, winning six and drawing one, with the only defeat coming against Newcastle United last time out.
United will make a decision on their permanent manager in the summer, once the season has ended and if Carrick can steer the club into the top four and qualification for the UEFA Champions League next season he will be in with a shout of the job full-time.
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