Man United hold talks for “secret midfielder” on loan – Ben Jacobs | OneFootball

Manchester United have held talks with a “secret midfielder” over the last 24 hours in an explosive twist for the club’s transfer plans this month, Ben Jacobs reveals.

A Quiet January

INEOS sent shockwaves across Old Trafford last week after wielding their axe on Ruben Amorim’s tenure, despite 14 months of steadfast support for the head coach.

Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher took charge of the senior side on an interim basis before Michael Carrick was confirmed as permanent caretaker until the end of the season.

INEOS will then reach a decision on the long-term successor to Amorim over the summer, with a host of candidates already under consideration.

This chaotic changing of the guard in the dugout had taken attention away from any potential changes on the pitch, however, with United’s full focus on hiring Carrick and his new assistants, including Steve Holland and Jonathan Woodgate.

The club were understood to have ruled out any departures until the new coaching team was in place to allow them to be consulted. But it was also thought that any incoming transfers would be delayed until the summer, with the resolve to wait for primary targets, rather than compromising on short-term measures.

However, Jacobs reveals United have now made contact to sign a “secret midfielder” who is currently playing outside of England – but has Premier League experience – which suggests a shift in this approach.

“Secret Midfielder”

Speaking to Football Terrace, Jacobs states that the Red Devils are “in talks with at least one midfielder for a loan on a short-term deal”.

The unidentified midfielder “would only be available on a loan until the end of the season [in] a relatively economic deal, and they have Premier League experience, but are currently playing outside of England”.

The talkSPORT correspondent indicates the approach has been made as a result of “what the new manager thinks”, with reports yesterday indicating Carrick was keen for more options in the middle of the pitch.

Middlesbrough maestro Hayden Hackney is one option the 44-year-old coach admires, given their previous success together at the Riverside Stadium, with Carrick keen on a reunion at Old Trafford.

But the 23-year-old midfielder has an asking price of £30 million, with INEOS having already identified a number of candidates in the Premier League, including Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba, as their primary targets.

Either midfielder will cost in excess of £100m this summer, meaning a move for Hackney in the winter window could drain the budget for a player who is the manager’s pick, rather than the recruitment department – a model United are keen to move away from.

As such, a move for a player with experience in England’s top division on a short-term loan would be an astute choice to provide more depth without impacting long-term plans.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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