Michael Carrick is lining up his first signing if he secures the job at Old Trafford next season, with a great history with the Championship star.
Michael Carrick has given Manchester United fans a new hope after winning both of his two games since replacing Rúben Amorim.
Carrick has been given the role of interim manager whilst the club searches far and wide for the best-suited candidate come the end of the season, with Carrick still being an option, although his official title is just “head coach”, with his contract expiring at the end of the season.
The former Middlesbrough manager has made an impressive first impression, tactically outplaying arguably the two strongest sides in the Premier League, beating both Man City and Arsenal.
With the recent news that Casemiro is parting ways with the club at the end of the season, midfield recruitment has become even more imperative, and Carrick has spotted a potential star from the Championship who could be next to put on the iconic red shirt.
Carrick wants a move for Hackney
Middlesbrough playmaker Hayden Hackney has been on Michael Carrick’s radar since the 44-year-old was appointed Middlesbrough manager back in October 2022.
According to reports from Sportsboom, Hackney could be the first signing in the Carrick era if he were to secure the job for the 2026/27 season.
With Carrick scheduled to depart from United in the summer, he may still be looking to fight his case to earn the full-time role, and his positive relationship with Hackney, paired with the ability to play for one of the biggest clubs in Europe, could be the ideal move for both parties.
It has previously been reported that Hackney is a player that Carrick would be keen on reuniting with at Old Trafford, should it become a possibility.
Hackney has also drawn interest from Rob Edwards’ Wolves, but a price tag in excess of £35 million was deemed not to be plausible for them, especially with their Premier League struggles.
At only 23 years old, Hackney would be a young, technically gifted, consistent performer whom Carrick would be “determined” to recruit.
How would Hackney slot in?
Often operating in a deeper role in the Championship, Hackney can control the tempo of a game, progressing the ball smoothly from defence to attack, combining his excellent ability to play short and long-range passes.
Hackney also has a brilliant ability to break the lines with his passes, a trait seen so frequently at United with the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez.
With Casemiro’s exit confirmed and a move for Manuel Ugarte seeming to be in the works, Hackney could be the first step in rebuilding United’s midfield and for a reasonable price. The club may find it difficult to say no when there are far more expensive alternatives, such as Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson.
Hackney’s work rate and consistent availability could be a driving factor in United’s future success, especially if United maintain their good form under Carrick, given the addition of European football.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 14:00 pm (GMT) on the United View YouTube channel.