United zero in on award-winning playmaker after Carrick urges Wilcox to strike 25m deal – report

Manchester United are now ready to battle their Premier League rivals to sign Middlesbrough maestro Hayden Hackney, according to a new report. Midfield Rebuild Manchester United’s focus this summer is a major revamp in midfield. Casemiro‘s contract expires this month, while Manuel Ugarte will be sold if a suitable offer arrives. The club’s plan is to make up to three new signings to bolster the depleted unit – with the priority being a successor to Casemiro. Around £80 million has been set aside for this ‘marquee’ arrival, with £40-50m allocated for the second recruit and around £20-30m for the third. This has led United to reignite interest in Hackney as a target for this final spot, given the 23-year-old midfielder has only twelve months remaining on his contract at the Riverside Stadium. Southampton’s all-action dynamo Shea Charles, who was signed by sporting director Jason Wilcox during his time with the Saints, is understood to be another cost-effective option on the radar. But the Northern Echo claims the Red Devils are increasingly likely to “make a move” for Hackney – with INEOS “confident of beating off competition from any of their Premier League rivals” thanks to Michael Carrick. A Reunion at Old Trafford Having enjoyed a fantastic interim spell, Carrick was confirmed to be remaining in place at Old Trafford after agreeing a two-year contract to become the club’s permanent head coach. There has been some consternation amongst sections of the fanbase, however, with question marks over a manager whose only prior experience was two and a half years at Middlesbrough. But it is this connection with ‘Boro, where Carrick made Hackney a central pillar of his side, which United are banking on giving them the inside track to strike a deal. The Northern Echo reveals Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur are “expected to make formal moves”. Everton are also an admirer, while Nottingham Forest are understood to be keeping close tabs on the situation. However, the report states that the “prospect of linking back up with his former boss at Old Trafford [is] sure to appeal” to Hackney, with Carrick having “pushed the Redcar-born midfielder’s claims during post-season recruitment meetings.” Final Thoughts The combination of Hackney’s contract situation and Boro’s heartbreak in the final of the play-offs, which saw Hull City emerge as 1-0 winners from the £200 million showdown at Wembley last month, means a cut-price deal is on the cards. The Teessiders are aware they have to “cash in on the 23-year-old” and he “looks certain to leave” for a Premier League club, achieving the promotion his side were unable to do themselves. A fee in the region of £25m is believed to be the asking price, a reasonable one for an award-winning midfielder with his best years ahead of him. United’s hierarchy, led by Wilcox, will be hoping the prospect of a reunion with his former mentor at Old Trafford, and the chance to test himself in the Champions League, proves a more convincing sales pitch than the ones on offer at Selhurst Park or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Featured image Alex Livesey 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 Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.