Man Utd plot shock move to hijack £20m Ipswich Town transfer | OneFootball

The Red Devils are preparing to put a spanner in the works regarding Ipswich Town's move for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney.

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up whether to hijack Ipswich Town's move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

That's according to a report from Football League World's sister site GIVEMESPORT on Friday morning.

It was revealed earlier this week by Sky Sports that the Tractor Boys had agreed a Championship-record deal with Middlesbrough worth over £20m for the services of the 23-year-old central midfielder.

With Boro boss Rob Edwards confirming that the decision over his future now lies with the England youth international, it now appears that Man United are preparing to put a spanner in the works regarding Ipswich's transfer plans.

Man United set to rival Ipswich Town in £20m Hayden Hackney deal

As revealed by GIVEMESPORT, Manchester United are mulling over whether to make a last-minute move to scupper Ipswich Town's £20m+ deal for Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney.

United have been linked with Hackney for some time, with the Boro academy graduate emerging as one of the best young talents in English football outside the Premier League over the last few years.

GIVEMESPORT state that Old Trafford chiefs have continued to monitor his situation this summer despite Ipswich agreeing a deal for him, and are potentially now ready to put a stop to that proposed move to Portman Road.

The report also details that Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim is hopeful of securing Hackney's signature should the club put this hijack plan into action, but will need to provide the Championship star with assurances over regular game time at Old Trafford if he is to snub a move to Ipswich in favour of the Red Devils.

It's been reported that there is an element of uncertainty whether Hackney would accept a move to another Championship side, despite the fact that Ipswich are said to be offering him £35k-a-week to move to Suffolk.

Spurs, Everton, West Ham United and Crystal Palace have all been credited with holding an interest in Hackney this summer too, with the player understood to prefer a move to the Premier League or a top European side over a transfer to a fellow second tier side.

Hackney is contracted at the Riverside Stadium until the summer of 2027.

Hackney will surely find Manchester United move too good to turn down over Ipswich if Red Devils offer arrives

They may not be the perennial Premier League powerhouse that they have been for much of the league's existence, but Manchester United is still Manchester United.

The badge, the stadium, the history, the renown gained for being a Man United player; the size of the brand and footballing institution that is Manchester United will always be a hugely attractive proposition for players to go and play for.

As such, should an acceptable offer arrive from the Red Devils, then deciding between remaining in the Championship with a move to Ipswich Town, or going to play for one of the biggest football clubs in the world in arguably the biggest and best league in the world - that may not be a tough choice for Hackney to make.

What's more, given United's well-documented struggles on the pitch as well as off it in recent times, Hackney may well see this as the best possible chance he could hope to get to join that football club, and make a real impact for them.

Amorim's side isn't blessed with the talent and depth of United squads of old, and with Casemiro in the twilight years of his career and Kobbie Mainoo coming off a somewhat underwhelming 24/25 season, he could have a big opportunity to carve out a sizeable role at Old Trafford straight away.

Therefore, Ipswich Town supporters will no doubt be hoping Manchester United don't act on their possible plan to hijack their Hackney deal, as should he arrive at Portman Road, he could prove to be a huge boost to their promotion chances.