Hayden Hackney’s future at Middlesbrough is uncertain after turning down a prospective move to Ipswich Town.
The Northern Echo reported over the weekend that the Tractor Boys had not persuaded the midfielder to move to Portman Road.
Last week, GiveMeSport revealed that Manchester United was considering an approach to hijack Ipswich’s move for the 23-year-old.
However, with only four weeks remaining in the market, it is unclear whether a change will occur.
Hayden Hackney advised to explore a move to Manchester United
When asked if an approach from Manchester United would be welcome, FLW’s Middlesbrough fan analyst Liam Day expressed his desire to see Hackney transfer to Old Trafford.
While he believes a move to Ipswich would be a nice next step for the player, he would prefer to see him play for a team the size of the Red Devils.
“There’s no chance he’ll turn down a move to Old Trafford,” Day told Football League World.
“If we’re being honest, I believe it is mostly agency talk.
| Hayden Hackney’s midfield stats 2024/25 – per Fbref.com | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stat | Per 90 | ||
| Passes Attempted | 74.41 | ||
| Pass Completion (%) | 83.70 | ||
| Progressive Passes | 10.44 | ||
| Progressive Carries | 2.80 | ||
| Successful Take-ons | 0.93 | ||
| Touches in the Opposition Area | 1.66 | ||
| Progressive Passes Received | 2.25 | ||
“I’m hoping [Manchester United] make a move; I genuinely want him to join a Premier League club; I’d like to see how he performs.
“Especially at a big club like Manchester United, the pressure is on him.” “It’s sink or swim when you go to a club like that, and I hope he has the opportunity to do so.
“Ipswich will be up there; it would have been a nice move for him, but I’d rather to see him in the Premier League.
“I did mention when Marcus Tavernier left that it’s great to watch youngsters progress, especially when they come from the academy.
“And Hackney, as a local, I really want him to go to a big club.”
“Man United would offer him that, he’d get the pressure, he’d get a good opportunity and I hope he makes that move.”
A move to Manchester United must be appealing to Hayden Hackney if the opportunity arises
It is unclear how interested Man United are in Hackney at this point, but it could explain why the player rejected down a move to Ipswich.
The midfielder could possibly be holding out for a Premier League move, as a move to Portman Road is merely a modest step up to a top-tier Championship club at this point.
While the Suffolk club may be able to deliver top-flight football next year, this is not assured right now, so waiting until the end of the window for interest from a club like Manchester United makes sense.
A promotion to the first level would also be well-deserved, and the opportunity to sign for the Manchester club in particular may be quite appealing, despite their poor slide in play last season.
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