Caretaker Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick will hope to see his side build on their 2-0 win over Manchester City when they face Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The former England international oversaw an impressive victory in the Manchester derby in his first match in charge of the Red Devils, but now faces a daunting visit to Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Ahead of that match, it has emerged that the Manchester outfit are eyeing a move to sign a Championship midfielder.
As per CaughtOffside, United remain interested in Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, who previously worked under Carrick.
The report claims that the Red Devils have identified the Englishman as a potential transfer target, with the 23-year-old having impressed for Boro this term.
Hackney is a product of Middlesbrough’s youth system and has spent his entire senior career with the North East club, aside from a loan spell with Scunthorpe United.
Hackney is on the radar of Manchester United (Photo: Mitchel Davidson/Alamy)
In total he has now made more than 140 appearances for the club across all competitions, and United head coach Carrick is said to be a particular admirer of the midfielder.
United’s Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur were also said to be among a number of top flight clubs exploring a potential move for Hackney this month, however the report suggests that their interest has cooled since the £34 million acquisition of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid.
Middlesbrough are said to be adamant that they will not allow Hackney to depart The Riverside for less than their £30 million valuation of the player.
Everton, Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion are all also said to have been monitoring Hackney, while United continue to scout the young midfielder as they search for a potential long-term successor to veteran Casemiro, who is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the current campaign.
Hackney’s contract with Boro is set to run until the end of the 2026/27 campaign.
