BREAKING NEWS: Man United are now scary to play against since they signed this gem last night, they’re now going to be unstoppable in this league”, Pep Guardiola says Man United are now scary to defeat after signing £80m powerhouse yesterday
There’s a midfield developing again at Manchester United, and what a sight it is.
So often a problem department under Ruben Amorim, the centre of the park looks energised under the Michael Carrick regime, with Sunday’s win over Fulham the perfect example of this newfound synergy.
Carrick himself led the plaudits for the resurgent Kobbie Mainoo following the 20-year-old’s quietly dominant display against the Cottagers, with Bruno Fernandes again United’s chief provider, surging up to 12 Premier League assists already this season.
The glue holding it altogether, of course, was Casemiro, with the Brazilian adding to his early header with that sumptuous, no-look assist for compatriot, Matheus Cunha.
Manchester United’s Casemiro in action
Now into his final stretch at Old Trafford, the 33-year-old has been reborn, albeit with such performances only heightening the task it will be in trying to replace him.
Man Utd could see £35m bid accepted for new midfielder
United’s new midfield triumvirate is shining, but the lack of depth remains a pressing issue, with it hard not to point to Manuel Ugarte’s second-half introduction as a factor in Fulham’s late rally.
With Casemiro departing and Fernandes’ future, like Ugarte, hardly secure ahead of next season, at least one new midfielder is a necessity this summer.
That search could well be brought forward by all accounts, however, with SportsBoom reporting that United are in the deadline day race for Middlesbrough starlet, Hayden Hackney.
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As per the report, the suggestion is that INEOS have held talks over a move, with ‘contact’ believed to have taken place, while the likes of Leeds United, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are also in the mix.
Forest, as the report adds, have already seen an offer rejected on deadline day, albeit with Boro said to have set a £30m-£35m asking price for any suitor.
Biggest winter deals Premier League 2026 (deadline day)
Hackney previously played a key role under Carrick, during the 44-year-old’s time in charge at the Riverside.
Why Hackney could be Man Utd’s own Adam Wharton
Looking to the Championship for a more affordable midfield recruit would be a wise move for INEOS, with the Old Trafford hierarchy likely to have to fork out £100m plus if they are to land any of their leading targets, namely Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton.
Wharton vs Casemiro stats
In the case of Wharton, the England international is a shining example of why top-flight clubs should dip into the second-tier market, with Crystal Palace reaping the rewards of their £20m move to prise the left-footer from Blackburn Rovers back in January 2024.
Interestingly, as reported since by respected United journalist, Andy Mitten, the Red Devils did actually pass up the chance to sign Wharton at the time, having been wary of the optics of looking to the Championship for reinforcements.
That mistake should certainly not be repeated with regard to another of the second tier’s most exciting English talents, with Hackney’s quality having been seen in spades for his current side in recent seasons.
Still only 23, the playmaker has already racked up 145 senior appearances at the Riverside, scoring 15 goals and providing 15 assists in that time from his number eight berth.
Hayden Hackney Boro season in numbers 25-26
Like Wharton, he is not exactly a prolific creator or goalscorer, but what Hackney does offer is real quality in possession, averaging 1.8 key passes per game this season, while boasting a solid 86% pass accuracy rate.
That’s not to say he can’t offer an end product too, with nine goals and assists to his name in the Championship in 2025/26. For context, Wharton’s final half-season at Ewood Park saw him rack up five goals and assists, while averaging 1.3 key passes and an 85% pass accuracy.
Most appearances under Carrick
Player
Games
Goals (Assists)
Hackney
104
9 (9)
Howson
94
4 (6)
I. Jones
86
10 (7)
Barlaser
79
1 (7)
Forss
77
17 (7)
Fry
74
0 (1)
McGree
73
11 (11)
Latte Lath
67
29 (4)
Dijksteel
67
3 (1)
Stats via Transfermarkt
The two young talents are cut from a similar cloth, having no doubt benefited from regular game time in what is deemed to be the seventh-best league in the world, as per Global Football Rankings, rather than being shackled to life in youth football.
Hackney, at 23, is a more senior figure than Wharton was at the time of the latter man’s move, although he may well see the 21-year-old’s journey as one to replicate, with the Palace gem having ended his first six months in south London by earning a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.
With a World Cup on the horizon, could Hackney have similar ambitions of his own? Regardless, for United, this is the type of deal that could be perfect before the deadline, not least due to his connection to Carrick, with it fair to say that the Old Trafford side are one injury or absence away from a real midfield issue.
