Hayden Hackney: Man United plot transfer raid at Carrick’s request | OneFootball

Michael Carrick has told Manchester United to reunite him with Hayden Hackney – but the Red Devils must act quickly as a Premier League rival is also on the hunt for the Middlesbrough maestro, according to a new report.

Midfield Reinforcements

Carrick took charge of his first training session at Carrington yesterday after being appointed caretaker manager following INEOS’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim.

But the 44-year-old coach has wasted no time in relaying his assessment of the United squad to the club’s hierarchy as he pushes for reinforcements in midfield.

TEAMtalk reveals Carrick is “keen on a reunion” with Hackney, who established himself as one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the Championship under the United legend’s tutelage at the Riverside Stadium.

Hackney is an outstanding technician, possessing a skillset which resembles a graduate from La Masia than one plying his trade for Middlesbrough – with the eye test supported by his underlying statistics.

The 23-year-old midfielder ranks in the 93rd percentile for attempted pass, 96th for progressive passes and 99th for progressive carries. He also sits in the 96th percentile for shot-creating actions, illustrating how decisive he is with the ball, rather than simply retaining possession for its own sake.

One analysis site describes Hackney as being on a “different planet” to his rivals in the Championship while another considers him the “worst kept secret” in the division, with full expectation of a promotion to the Premier League, with or without Middlesbrough.

It’s clear, therefore, why Carrick “wants” to slot him into his engine room at Old Trafford – with United’s midfield often resembling a spluttering mess this season under Amorim. But INEOS will have to strike now if they are to secure this reunion, as a rival is set to launch their own raid.

Spurs plotting a raid

TEAMtalk reveals Tottenham Hotspur are exploring a move for Hackney with Middlesbrough having set club-record valuation for their talisman.

The title-chasing Championship side, currently second in the table, do not want to lose a key player midway through their promotion push, having sold star forward Emmanuel Latte Lath last year in a similar situation and suffered negative consequences as a result.

The report states there is “strong internal resolve to retain key assets” this season. However, there is acceptance that Hackney’s star is shining bright enough to attract the attention of England’s elite, with a £30m price tag sufficient to prise him away from the north east – trumping the previous record £18.4m fee Atalanta United paid for Lath.

United are understood to be “monitoring” the situation after identifying the Yorkshire native as a target prior to Carrick’s arrival. And this interest could now be set to intensify to fend off Spurs and reunite the caretaker coach with a maestro who can take care of his midfield.

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