Big Man Utd, Michael Carrick decision should worry Middlesbrough for one clear reason | OneFootball

Michael Carrick's return to management could spell trouble for Middlesbrough

Michael Carrick’s appointment as Man United’s interim head coach could have Middlesbrough worried this January.

The 44-year-old is back in management after leaving the Riverside last summer following a 10th place finish in the Championship.

The Teesside outfit are flying at the moment, even with Carrick’s replacement, Rob Edwards, departing for Wolves in November.

However, there will be some concerns that the former England international’s arrival at Old Trafford could derail Middlesbrough’s push for promotion if the club reignites their interest in Hayden Hackney.

Carrick gave the midfielder his major breakthrough for Boro shortly after being appointed as manager in October 2022.

Hackney had already made a couple of appearances for the club, but it wasn’t until the former Man United player arrived as manager that he became an established part of the starting lineup.

Michael Carrick could trouble Middlesbrough’s promotion push

It was reported in the summer that Hackney was on Man United’s radar, as Ruben Amorim sought to strengthen his first team squad.

However, the deal didn’t come to fruition and he remained at the Riverside, where he has continued to impress in the Championship.

With Carrick now in charge, the Guardian have reported that the Premier League side will be considering investments into the first team if long-term targets become attainable.

Middlesbrough are in the thick of a promotion battle under Kim Hellberg, and Hackney has been key to their rise up to a top two position in the table.

While Boro were willing to cash in on the likes of Morgan Rogers and Emmanuel Latte Lath in previous January windows during Carrick’s time in charge, they were never quite so high in the table that deep into the season either.

But a club with the financial strength of Man United could test their resolve, and the arrival of the former Boro boss could influence their decision to pull the trigger on their previous interest.

Man United are light in midfield, and Hackney fits the kind of profile of player that could improve the team’s chances of competing for Champions League qualification.

With Carrick now on board, he could push to reunite with the player as part of his time as interim head coach, which will be a major concern for the Teesside outfit.

Hayden Hackney is Premier League ready

The 23-year-old has shown his quality this season, and he has what it takes to make the step up to the Premier League.

His passing has been super effective for Middlesbrough, as evidenced by his contribution of five assists, along with three goals of his own, in the Championship.

Hackney’s performances have reached another level this year, particularly as he’s been able to put his fitness issues behind him by consistently featuring in the side week-in and week-out.

The figures behind his displays this season show he has become an exceptional midfielder that is ready for the top level.

A total of 7.93 progressive passes per 90, 3.21 carries, 4.4 progressive passes received and 2.89 touches in the opposition area each game (figures from Fbref) have made him an all around midfielder that gets his team into strong positions, and he himself even gets on the end of threatening attacking sequences.

While his defensive contributions could use some work, it’s not what he’s being relied upon at Middlesbrough either.

His role is to get the side into dangerous positions in the final third, and help break through opposition defences.

This is where he could prove quite useful for Man United, who are lacking the profile of midfielder at the moment.

While he wouldn’t be going straight into the starting lineup at Old Trafford, there’s no doubt he could be contributing to their efforts to qualify for the Champions League, especially under Carrick.

The 44-year-old could be the perfect person to help him transition up to the top flight, and his arrival at Man United will have Boro concerned until the transfer window shuts on 2 February.