Manchester United Considers Hayden Hackney for Midfield Reinforcement

Hayden Hackney could be a midfielder Manchester United aims to sign in the upcoming summer transfer window as the club undergoes a midfield recruitment drive.

While Ederson appears close to a move to Old Trafford, having agreed personal terms with United earlier this month, other midfielders may also be signed.

Hackney could be one of these given United’s prolonged interest in him, which spans back to January 2024 when it was Liverpool-for-midfield-star/”>revealed that Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were also interested.

Further scouting followed in the early stages of 2025 before it appeared that the English youth international would join Ipswich Town.

This move did not materialize, however, and the midfielder remained at Middlesbrough as the team attempted to gain promotion to the Premier League.

Boro were unable to achieve this, losing out on automatic promotion in the closing stages of the regular season before falling in the play-off final to Hull City on Saturday afternoon.

Hackney’s future now appears uncertain, with Alan Nixon reporting via his Patreon page that the Teesside-based outfit wants at least £20 million for the midfielder this summer.

Nixon also revealed that Boro’s owner Steve Gibson is prepared to hold out for a significant bid, even if this means the midfielder stays until the January transfer window, where his value could decrease.

Hayden Hackney is entering the final year of his contract at Middlesbrough, creating the possibility of a free transfer at the end of the 2026/27 season.

Gibson may want to avoid this scenario, as it would mean losing out on any revenue that could be generated from selling him.

It remains to be seen whether Manchester United will pursue the midfielder in the summer transfer window, although clarity may emerge in the coming weeks.