MANCHESTER UNITED must battle THREE other top-six Premier League clubs for Hayden Hackney, according to reports.
The England U21’s midfielder will likely leave Middlesbrough in the summer.
United must fend of interest from Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham – who all have their eye on the defensive midfielder.
The Mail report that talent-spotters were in attendance at Boro matches in recent months, and Spurs are among those most interested.
Premier League scouts attended his last game away at Bristol City before he picked up a hamstring injury.
Interestingly, most of those top six clubs have not watched the team during his three game absence.
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Both Manchester clubs are monitoring him, with United said to be more keen.
Hackney’s manager is United legend Michael Carrick, who guided Boro to fourth in the Championship last year.
The England star signed a new four-year contract in the summer, but there is an acceptance he will snapped up if Boro fail to win promotion to the Premier League.
United midfielder Casemiro failed to replicate last season’s form before his injury, and Sofyan Amrabat will likely miss out on a permanent move.
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While Liverpool are also interested with Wataru Endo and Thiago Alcantara both in their thirties.
Hackney has made 16 league appearances this season, and a further four in the EFL Cup.
He also won five caps for England’s under-21s over the autumn, playing alongside current Liverpool star Harvey Elliott.
Despite a good start, Middlesbrough have dropped to 12th, losing three of their last five.
However, the club remain six points away from the playoff spots.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
