Newly installed interim head coach Michael Carrick is reportedly urging Manchester United’s hierarchy to act decisively in the January transfer window by pursuing a £30 million move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, a player he believes could significantly improve the club’s ability to control matches from midfield.
Manchester United are once again navigating a period of transition on the sidelines. Following the departure of Ruben Amorim, the club has turned to a familiar face, handing Michael Carrick the responsibility of guiding the team through the remainder of the season.
While Carrick’s immediate objective is to restore calm, unity, and direction within the squad, there is also an expectation that he could emulate the stabilising influence Ole Gunnar Solskjær once provided during his interim spell.
However, not everyone is convinced that short-term success should automatically lead to long-term commitment. Club legend Gary Neville has already cautioned the board against allowing sentiment to dictate future decisions.
He has reminded decision-makers of past mistakes, particularly the rush to appoint Solskjær permanently, stressing that even if Carrick were to engineer a top-four finish and secure Champions League qualification, the club should remain disciplined and assess elite managerial options such as Thomas Tuchel or Roberto De Zerbi in the summer.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his own future, Carrick is wasting no time in shaping plans to address United’s on-pitch deficiencies.
One area he is keen to strengthen immediately is midfield, where performances have fallen well below expectations this season.
At the top of Carrick’s wish list is Hayden Hackney, a 23-year-old midfielder he previously coached at Middlesbrough and knows intimately.
Hackney is currently valued at around £30 million, a fee United reportedly see as reasonable given his age, development, and growing reputation.
Carrick’s interest is driven by more than familiarity alone; the midfielder’s statistical profile highlights qualities that United’s current midfield options lack, particularly in ball progression and tempo control.
When compared directly to Manuel Ugarte, one of United’s main midfield enforcers, Hackney stands out in key areas aligned with Carrick’s philosophy.
During the 2025/26 season, Hackney has averaged 7.94 progressive passes per 90 minutes, a significant improvement over Ugarte’s 4.81.
This suggests that Hackney is far more effective at moving the ball forward, breaking lines, and helping the team transition from defence to attack.
Beyond passing, Hackney also offers high intensity and work rate. He records an average of 5.79 ball recoveries per match, marginally higher than Ugarte’s 5.43, demonstrating that he is not a passive distributor but an active participant in regaining possession.
While Ugarte remains superior in pure defensive output—posting 2.84 successful tackles per game compared to Hackney’s 1.31 Carrick appears less concerned with raw ball-winning and more focused on midfielders who can resist pressure, recycle possession, and dictate rhythm.
From Carrick’s perspective, United do not simply need destroyers in midfield; they need players who can think quickly, receive the ball under pressure, and progress play intelligently.
Hackney fits this modern profile, offering balance between defensive responsibility and creative contribution.
The proposed £30 million investment is viewed internally as a calculated and sensible move for a player who has already established himself as a key figure at Middlesbrough and earned glowing praise from former coach Rob Edwards, who once described him as “outstanding.”
With Carrick’s full backing and deep understanding of Hackney’s capabilities, United believe the midfielder could provide the spark needed to steady the ship and help rescue a demanding Premier League campaign.
In a season where margins are fine and consistency has been elusive, Carrick sees Hackney not as a luxury signing, but as a practical solution to one of Manchester United’s most persistent problems.
