Hackney looks certain to leave Boro this summer in the wake of this month’s play-off final defeat to Hull City, with the Teessiders set to cash in on the 23-year-old as he heads into the final year of his current contract at the Riverside.
Crystal Palace and Tottenham are expected to make formal moves for Hackney, with the former having lined up the England Under-21 international as a potential replacement for Adam Wharton, whose future at Selhurst Park is uncertain.
Everton have also been linked with Hackney, but Manchester United will be confident of beating off competition from any of their Premier League rivals if, as looks increasingly likely, they make a move of their own.
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The Old Trafford club are remodelling their midfield this summer, with Casemiro having left at the end of last season. Ederson is set to join from Atalanta, with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali also having been touted as a potential target, but Hackney is viewed as more of a long-term investment, with Carrick understood to have pushed the Redcar-born midfielder’s claims during post-season recruitment meetings.
The Manchester United boss worked closely with Hackney during his three seasons as Boro boss, handing him a regular starting spot and repeatedly praising his progress and talent.
Hackney enjoyed working with Carrick on Teeeside, with the prospect of linking back up with his former boss at Old Trafford sure to appeal.
Another Boro midfielder, Abdoulaye Kante, is facing an uncertain future after his St Etienne side were beaten by Nice in their play-off final on Friday night.
Kante joined St Etienne on loan in January, with the French club having agreed the terms of a potential permanent transfer as part of the agreement.
Had St Etienne been promoted to Ligue 1 on Friday, they would almost certainly have triggered the clause and completed a permanent deal. They still have that option, but another season in Ligue 2 means they could struggle to fund a deal to sign Kante, who penned a five-year deal when he joined Boro last summer.