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According to new reports, Michael Carrick is strongly advocating for Manchester United to bring in Middlesbrough’s standout midfielder, Hayden Hackney, during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The Red Devils are expected to be highly active in the market as they prepare for their return to the UEFA Champions League. A recent report has suggested that the club could complete as many as seven signings before the new season begins.

Carrick, who was recently appointed as Manchester United’s permanent manager, managed to get the best out of his squad after replacing Ruben Amorim and guiding the team to Champions League qualification. However, the club is aware that reinforcements are essential with multiple competitions on the horizon next season.

While United are targeting reinforcements across various positions — including striker, winger, centre-back, and full-back — their main focus will be rebuilding the midfield, especially after Casemiro’s departure.

With Manuel Ugarte also expected to leave, sources indicate that Manchester United could sign up to three new midfielders this summer, and reports suggest they are close to securing their first addition.

According to The Northern Echo, Manchester United are eyeing a move for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, who is anticipated to make the step up to the Premier League after his boyhood club’s defeat to Hull City in the Championship play-off final.

Hackney, who previously played under Carrick at Middlesbrough, is reportedly a key target for the manager, who is pushing the club’s new ownership group, INEOS, to move quickly and beat Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace to his signature.

The report further notes: “Crystal Palace and Tottenham are both set to make formal approaches for Hackney. Palace view the England Under-21 international as a potential replacement for Adam Wharton, whose future at Selhurst Park remains uncertain. Everton are also monitoring Hackney, but Manchester United believe they can outbid their Premier League rivals if, as increasingly expected, they decide to make their move.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni continues to be linked with Manchester United as another possible midfield reinforcement. However, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that there are ‘two major obstacles’ preventing what he described as a ‘perfect’ signing for the club.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: “At this stage, Manchester United see Aurelien Tchouameni as an ideal target. They believe he would be the perfect replacement for Casemiro in midfield.”

He continued: “Coming from Real Madrid, he has that winning mentality, world-class quality, and the ability to both defend and score. They absolutely admire Tchouameni.”

“But there are two issues. Firstly, his salary is extremely high. Secondly, Real Madrid have made it clear — both publicly and privately — that they intend to keep Tchouameni.”

Romano added: “So, to make this transfer happen, Manchester United would need to negotiate a salary reduction with the player and also agree on a transfer fee with Real Madrid. It’s far from a simple process.”

“If you ask me who Manchester United believe could be the ideal defensive midfielder, they would say Aurelien Tchouameni. But the reality is that such negotiations are complicated when it comes to elite players like him.”