Manchester United’s new caretaker manager, Michael Carrick, is an ‘admirer’ of a £30million midfielder, although the Reds face tough opposition from their Premier League competitors.
Manchester United have struggled to find the right balance in their midfield department for the entirety of the 2025/26 campaign so far, and could soon shake things up.
Under the management of Ruben Amorim, the Reds operated with a double-pivot that typically consisted of Casemiro alongside their captain, Bruno Fernandes.
Now that there has been a change of management at Old Trafford, it is expected that United will revert to a more conventional 4-2-3-1, with Fernandes moving back into an attacking midfield role.
This being said, it is expected that the Reds will make a move for a new midfielder in the near future, and their caretaker, Michael Carrick, is a huge admirer of a £30million talent.
Carrick admires Hackney
As reported by TEAMTalk, the Red Devils could be set to make a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, with Carrick keen on a reunion.
The 23-year-old is priced at around £30million, and has undoubtedly been one of the EFL Championship’s top performers this season.
Due to his fantastic performances, Hackney has attracted attention from many Premier League suitors, such as Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Fulham.
However, despite all of this interest, The Boro are determined to keep their prized asset, as they carry on in pursuit of promotion to the top flight of English football.
Do United need Hackney?
Signing a new midfielder feels very much like a ‘when’ as opposed to an ‘if’ for United at this point, but would a winter move for Hackney be what they need?
With Carrick hypothetically only in charge until the summer, this means that a reunion with Hackney would be short-lived, and it could also further hinder Kobbie Mainoo’s minutes.
Regarding United’s holding midfield department, they currently have Casemiro, Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte to choose from, and with only the league left to play for, this should surely be more than enough depth.
A move for Hackney may be a smart bit of business for the Reds, but unless they are to sell a midfielder this month, it feels like a move that could wait until the summer.
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