Manchester United cool interest in Hackney as Everton lead Championship midfielder chase

Manchester United are no longer actively pursuing a move for Hayden Hackney this summer, with a transfer to Old Trafford described as unlikely at present despite the club’s interest in the Middlesbrough midfielder.

According to The Athletic, United do hold Hackney in high regard but he sits lower on their list of midfield targets. The development is notable given that United manager Michael Carrick worked closely with Hackney during his time in charge at Middlesbrough and has spoken warmly of the player in the past.

Everton are now leading the race to sign the 23-year-old, though they face significant competition. Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Crystal Palace have all been linked with a player who was named the Championship’s Player of the Season after contributing five goals and seven assists across 39 appearances in 2024-25.

Hackney is widely expected to leave Middlesbrough this summer following the club’s failure to win promotion to the Premier League — they were beaten in the play-off final by Hull City. However, The Times reports that Boro are weighing up the option of taking Hackney into the final year of his contract, gambling that retaining him could boost their promotion chances and the roughly £200 million financial windfall that reaching the top flight would bring.

Carrick, speaking in 2024 while still at Middlesbrough, was effusive about the England under-21 international’s character and consistency.

“You couldn’t ask for much more from Hayden,” Carrick said. “He’s grounded, he’s humble, he’s down to earth and loves to learn. He loves the place and he loves the club as well. To have that, added with the talent he has got, it’s the perfect scenario.”

Carrick also highlighted the mental attributes that set Hackney apart. “There is a level of talent out there in and around football and sometimes it might not be that different player to player, but levels can be jumped, or not, if your head is not in the right place,” he said. “Hayden certainly does that. He’s been exemplary.”

United have already agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign midfielder Ederson, which may partly explain why Hackney has slipped down their list of priorities as the summer transfer window takes shape.