Hayden Hackney: Why Championship star suits United and what his coach says about winter exit | OneFootball

Manchester United’s midfield is crying out for reinforcements. Having signed only two central midfielders, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, in the past seven years, the squad has been starved of quality, something INEOS will be determined to address.

With the need glaringly obvious, United continue to be linked with a host of top midfielders. One name that refuses to fade from the rumour mill is Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.

£30 million Hackney swoop

Hackney has long been on United’s radar, yet the 20-time English champions have never managed to pull off this swoop. Now, however, the tide appears to be turning, with the Red Devils seemingly ready to push for a deal involving the 23-year-old.

According to a report covered by The Peoples Person, Middlesbrough are desperate to retain their prized asset. Nevertheless, should a £30 million bid arrive, the Championship side would be prepared to sanction his departure.

As Old Trafford faithfuls wait to see whether INEOS will be bold enough to strike, fresh developments have emerged from the Riverside Stadium.

Response to Hackney exit talk

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has directly addressed the speculation surrounding Hackney’s future. Speaking, via Teesside Live, ahead of his side’s Championship clash with Stoke, the Swede explained why the midfielder has become such a coveted figure:

“He is very important, of course. He’s a top player and a top person. He’s top in every aspect of the game. I think he’s defending well, he’s good offensively, he’s helping his teammates, and I’ve said that before.

“I think his most impressive thing is how he is as a person because he could easily start thinking about other things when big clubs are after you. They should be after him, because he’s a top player and I think he would be able to play in a lot of Premier League teams and do well, because that’s how good he is.”

Hellberg went on to underline Hackney’s blend of talent and character, describing him as “an absolutely top player” whose humility and team-first mentality set him apart.

Hellberg’s wish

After showering his midfielder with praise, Hellberg made his stance on a potential winter exit clear.

“I like him very much, and if I could decide, I would say ‘not for sale!’ But that will not come down to me. I think he wants to stay here—you can see how happy he is and how hard he works. Hopefully he’s with us this year and beyond.”

Hellberg stressed that his focus remains on working with Hackney while he is at the club, and that he will not dwell on hypothetical departures.

Hackney: the perfect Carrick signing

It is natural for a head coach to want to keep hold of his best players, and Hellberg’s words reflect that.

Yet United’s pressing need for a midfielder of Hackney’s profile makes their pursuit entirely understandable.

Significantly, Hackney is a player Michael Carrick knows inside out. It was the United head coach who handed him a regular starting role at Boro, and the midfielder has since blossomed into one of the Championship’s standout performers.

A deep-lying playmaker, Hackney excels in progressive actions, consistently ranking among the division’s leaders in progressive passes, carries, and forward balls. His ability to dictate tempo and drive play forward could make him a transformative addition to United’s midfield.

A step in the right direction

For United, Hackney represents more than just another signing; he could be the cornerstone of a long-overdue midfield overhaul. But that will only materialise if INEOS presses hard and show the conviction to bring him on board.

Featured image George Wood via Getty Images

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