Man Utd get late transfer timeline for player Michael Carrick loves | Football | Sport

Manchester United target Hayden Hackney, who flourished under Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough, was the subject of a last-minute, unsuccessful bid from Nottingham Forest on deadline day. Hackney emerged as one of Carrick’s standout performers at the Riverside Stadium after coming through their youth system.

The 23-year-old established himself as a key player following Carrick’s arrival in October 2022, subsequently earning the club’s Young Player of the Year accolade. Hackney has since become one of the Championship’s most sought-after talents, attracting considerable interest during the January window.

But Middlesbrough are battling for Premier League promotion and currently sit level on points with Coventry City at the top of the table. Earlier this month, Hackney had been touted for a potential switch to United, largely owing to Carrick’s connection with the player. Whilst a move to Old Trafford never came to fruition, Premier League attention surfaced on deadline day.

Sky Sports has reported that Forest submitted an offer for Hackney on Monday morning, hoping to strengthen Sean Dyche’s midfield options. The approach was swiftly rebuffed, with Middlesbrough unwilling to sanction his departure so late in the transfer window.

Hackney is entering the final 18 months of his deal on Teesside – though his stint at Middlesbrough could be prolonged if they achieve promotion to the Premier League. Come the summer, should Boro fail to secure advancement, his signature might be obtainable at a reduced fee.

At the weekend, Hackney netted the match-winning goal in their 1-0 triumph over Norwich to propel Boro to joint-top of the Championship table. Following the match, he faced questions about his Middlesbrough future amid top-flight interest.

“No. I’m really happy,” he responded when questioned about a potential January departure. “The manager [Kim Hellberg] has got me playing the way I enjoy playing, getting the best out of me. So, yeah, I’m really enjoying it. This is what I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a kid; play for Middlesbrough.

“And where we are in the league at the minute, as long as we keep going, we feel confident. Winning promotion with Middlesbrough would mean everything to me. I don’t know how I’d be, but I know I’d be over the moon. That is the dream.”