United overtake bitter rival in race for £30m midfield genius, Carrick knows exactly how to unleash him – report

Manchester United have been handed a big advantage in the race to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, following a major transfer shift by Tottenham Hotspur. United want Hackney Having spent the bulk of their summer budget on bolstering the attacking department, United are now expected to shift their attention to midfield reinforcements either before the close of the month or most likely, later in the summer. Casemiro is expected to leave upon the expiry of his contract, while there is also uncertainty over the future of Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled for consistency since joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. Some of the players United continued to be linked with include Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Carlos Baleba (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Joao Gomes (Wolves) and of course, Hackney. Hackney is widely seen as a top Championship midfielder, renowned for his solidity, technical skill, and progression in possession. United are not the only party keeping tabs on the player. A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Newcastle are also keen on adding him to their ranks. He has played a key part in Middlesbrough’s bid to clinch automatic promotion this season, with the club currently in second place in the Championship table. Hackney has scored three goals and provided twice as many assists in the 27 appearances he’s made. According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham’s signing of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid has led them to pause their interest in Hackney, presenting United with a prime opportunity. Hackney transfer update CaughtOffside claim that Tottenham’s interest in Hackney has now “cooled significantly.” The North London outfit have halted their pursuit, with attention now shifting to other areas of the pitch. The report further notes, “Middlesbrough’s stance throughout the window has been unwavering, Hackney is not for sale unless a club meets their minimum £30 million valuation, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.” “Despite growing Premier League interest, the Championship side have no intention of accepting cut-price offers in January, particularly while they remain in the promotion race.” “Sources around the club say they do not expect anyone to meet their asking price this month, and would prefer to review offers in the summer, especially if promotion is missed.” It’s understood that United are still firmly in the race to sign the 23-year-old. His previous relationship with Michael Carrick, who was recently named the Red Devils’ interim boss, has only further fuelled speculation. Carrick coached Hackney at Boro. Other clubs that are lurking include Everton, Fulham and Brighton. Featured image George Wood via Getty Images 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 Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!