Carrick pushes Manchester United to sign Middlesbrough's Hackney in summer midfield overhaul

Manchester United are reportedly targeting Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer, with manager Michael Carrick personally championing the 23-year-old in post-season recruitment meetings as the club plans a significant midfield rebuild.

According to The Northern Echo, Carrick has highlighted Hackney’s qualities to United’s recruitment staff as the club looks to overhaul its engine room. Middlesbrough are expected to sell following their Championship play-off final defeat to Hull City, and with Hackney entering the final year of his contract at the Riverside Stadium, a departure this summer appears near-certain.

The relationship between manager and player is central to United’s reported confidence in the deal. Carrick spent three seasons as Middlesbrough head coach, handing a teenage Hackney a regular starting role and overseeing his development across 104 appearances in all competitions. The Redcar-born midfielder is said to be open to reuniting with his former mentor at Old Trafford.

Hackney’s form across the 2025/26 Championship season earned him the division’s Player of the Season award. His profile has attracted interest from FC Porto, Tottenham, Everton, and Crystal Palace, but United’s connection through Carrick is understood to give them an advantage in the race.

A move to Old Trafford would see Hackney step into the midfield vacancy created by Casemiro’s exit at the end of last season. While the Brazilian was a five-time Champions League winner, Hackney’s playing style carries certain similarities — he can operate in a deep-lying role and brings a combative, high-volume approach to duels, combined with technical composure under pressure. His forward-thinking passing range also allows him to dictate tempo and break lines from deep.

United are also tracking Atalanta’s Ederson and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali as alternative midfield targets, though Carrick is reported to view Hackney as a long-term investment in the club’s engine room.