Carrick Pushes INEOS to Raid Middlesbrough for Hackney as Tchouameni Deal Looks Fraught

Manchester United's newly installed permanent manager Michael Carrick is making his ambitions clear in the transfer market, actively pushing the club's hierarchy to pursue Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney this summer.

The midfielder finds himself available after Boro's heartbreaking Championship play-off final defeat to Hull City, and Carrick sees him as a ready-made addition to bolster United's midfield ranks. The pair already have history—Hackney previously worked under Carrick during his time at Old Trafford—giving the manager considerable influence in any potential deal.

United are gearing up for what could be a transformative window ahead of their Champions League return, with suggestions they could complete as many as seven signings. The priority? Overhauling the midfield following Casemiro's departure, with Manuel Ugarte also expected to leave. That could mean three fresh faces in the engine room alone.

Hackney has caught the attention of several top-flight clubs. Tottenham and Crystal Palace are both expected to make formal approaches, with the Eagles viewing him as a potential successor to Adam Wharton, whose position at Selhurst Park remains uncertain. Everton have also been linked, but United will fancy their chances of winning the race if they move decisively.

The picture becomes murkier when it comes to Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, another midfielder on United's radar. Fabrizio Romano has outlined the twin hurdles standing in the way of what would otherwise represent an ideal solution to their midfield crisis.

Tchouameni ticks every box for United's requirements—elite pedigree, Champions League experience, the ability to defend and contribute goals. Yet the obstacles are formidable. His wages represent a substantial commitment, while Real Madrid remain publicly and privately committed to keeping their man.

"If you ask me who could be the ideal defensive midfielder for Manchester United, at the club they believe that could be Aurelien Tchouameni," Romano explained. "But then the reality is different. Negotiations are never easy for top players like Aurelien Tchouameni."

United would need to negotiate not only with Tchouameni over salary restructuring but also directly with Madrid over a transfer fee—a scenario that looks decidedly complicated at present.