Ruben Amorim’s summer revolution at Old Trafford is gathering pace with INEOS hoping to arm United’s head coach with the relevant tools to improve on last season’s disastrous campaign.
The need for major surgery across the first team squad is clear and further signings are expected to follow Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in the coming weeks.
As well as improving Amorim’s attacking options, additions are also required in midfield with the team needing extra physicality to cope with the demands of Premier League football.
However, given PSR restrictions, INEOS are working under the assumption that funds are not infinite and the new sporting structure is having to work smart to make the most of the available budget.
Championship shopping could be on the cards
United have already shelled out hefty fees to secure the Premier League duo of Cunha and Mbeumo and with talks escalating for the signing of Benjamin Sesko, it’s difficult to see how another mega money transfer will be possible.
Therefore, according to Give Me Sport, head figures at the club are giving serious consideration to acquiring Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney who is expected to leave the Riverside Stadium for a fee of £20 million this summer.
However, United will have to move fast given the fact that Ipswich Town have seen their bid for the 23-year-old accepted.
Furthermore, despite being the only team to make an official bid that Boro are happy with, Ipswich are not the only side holding a keen interest in the player with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton also monitoring the situation closely.
Hackney is aware of the high profile interest and is reportedly holding off from committing to the move with the view of securing a switch to the Premier League.
The delay in completing the medical has left the door open for United but they will have to make a move fast fast if they are to hijack the deal.
Assurances required
Hackney is demanding assurances over playing time and will want to know the role he’ll play in Amorim’s set up before accepting any move.
Hackney is highly regarded in the North East and has developed nicely under the guidance of former Red Devil, Michael Carrick.
His profile certainly fits the bill of what’s missing in Amorim’s side at the moment with his physical attributes backed up by his impressive stats for Boro last season.
Hackney ranked third in Carrick’s squad for both tackles and duels won last year with his stats on the ball even more eye catching. He created a whopping nine big chances for his teammates as well as racking up eight goals and assists.
Naturally, the pressures that come with playing for United will be the true acid test for the talented midfielder but he could prove to be a real coup for INEOS in an inflated market.
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Conner Botterill
Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.
