Carrick pushing United to buy his own outstanding protégé as fierce rivals plan to hijack dream deal – report

Manchester United’s first priority during the summer window is addressing the lack of quality in the middle of the park. Casemiro has already announced that he will be leaving upon the expiration of his contract, while INEOS are looking to move on Manuel Ugarte, with the Uruguayan proving to be a major disappointment. The Red Devils are seeking players with Premier League experience, and their top targets include Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace ace Adam Wharton. The Cameroonian has struggled badly this season, while the Seagulls’ inflated valuation is unlikely to be met. United’s hunt for a midfielder As for the Forest ace, Manchester City are reportedly in pole position, while he is expected to cost £100 million. That has forced United to keep alternative options ready, and following Michael Carrick’s arrival, one of his former proteges at Middlesbrough has gained traction. Hayden Hackney is arguably one of the Championship’s brightest young stars, with the midfield maestro excelling at controlling the tempo of a game from deep. He can play further forward if required as well, and will not cost as much, given his current deal expires in 2027. Carrick’s dream deal Should Carrick get the permanent job, United’s chances of landing the 23-year-old would increase manifold. However, as relayed by Teamtalk, fierce rivals Leeds United are also eyeing the England U21 international while Boro getting promoted would also make it complicated to land him next summer as they would be in a position to offer him an extension. There is also interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Everton to contend with. The Boro skipper has been on fire this season, netting five times in all competitions while registering six assists with the team from Riverside Stadium standing atop the Championship table. Hayden Hackney fits the bill His stats speak for themselves. Hayden Hackney ranks in the top 98th percentile for chances created among his Championship peers, while off the ball, the Englishman ranks in the 100th percentile for ball recoveries (via fotmob). All this makes him a great fit for United. Now the ball is in INEOS’ court. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25