Man Utd insiders rate chances of swoop for brilliant Championship ace

Tom Weber

• 17 Feb 2026 04:01 CST
• 3 min read

News

Manchester United will be in the mix to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney this summer, according to a report.

The 23-year-old is a long-standing target for the Red Devils due to his consistently impressive performances in the Championship. Hackney has become one of the best midfielders in the division in recent years.

Coventry's recent form slump has allowed Boro to storm to the summit of the table, where they are currently two points clear of Frank Lampard's side. Hackney has been crucial to this success, starting every single game and captaining the team in the absence of Luke Ayling and Dael Fry.

It is fully expected that Hackney will be playing Premier League football next season, either with Boro or with another club. He certainly has no shortage of suitors due to his performances.

Man Utd, who have been linked with a move for the England youth international for years, remain firmly in the mix to sign him, according to a report from TEAMtalk.

Man Utd keep monitoring Hackney

It is claimed that Man Utd's recruitment team continues to closely follow Hackney's exploits at Boro, as it has been doing for some time. Heading into the summer window, the Red Devils' interest is as strong as ever.

Man Utd are planning to sign at least two new midfielders after this season. The marquee acquisition is supposed to be a player with Premier League experience, such as Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton.

However, the report states that "insiders indicate" that Hackney could be the second summer arrival to add depth and secure a player who could develop into a guaranteed starter further down the line.

Whether Hackney would be willing to play second fiddle is, of course, a different question. He will also have suitors who are ready to offer him regular minutes as a starter. The likes of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham were previously associated with a potential move for him.

Boro were unwilling to entertain offers for Hackney in January, but the situation will become "more fluid" in the summer. If they miss out on promotion, it is difficult to imagine that they would be able to keep hold of the 23-year-old.

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