Michael Carrick just “gets” Manchester United, and his latest transfer target proves as much.
Ineos have brought about a change in transfer philosophy at Manchester United since taking over as part-owners.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe stressed in one of his early interviews that they need to start identifying stars instead of buying them for huge sums.
Signing the likes of Senne Lammens and Ayden Heaven proves that it’s happening. Now, the next Adam Wharton could follow them.
Should Manchester United be aiming higher than Hayden Hackney?
OR is he the perfect squad depth signing to compete in multiple competitions 🏆
Man Utd’s interest in Hayden Hackney is smart
Adam Wharton is one of the names linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, but Crystal Palace are likely to demand north of £80m for him.
That’s where Ratcliffe’s philosophy enters the field, where he wanted United to identify the next Adam Wharton instead.
Carrick might have already worked with him, and he is now pushing for a reunion at United.
United are linked to Hayden Hackney again, with the Middlesbrough midfielder set to leave the club after they failed to get promoted.
Carrick has worked with Hackney, and the player counts the Man Utd manager as one of the key influences on his game.
In the current situation, Hackney won’t cost as much and could easily find another level to his game at United under a manager who brought the best out of him.
It is reminiscent of Adam Wharton, who arrived at Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers, or Michael Olise, who also made the move from the Championship and is now taking Europe by storm.
Man Utd can’t lose in Hackney transfer
Perhaps the best thing about this transfer is that United are in a win-win situation.
How much do you think Man Utd will spend in this window?
It can be revealed that £243m will already be leaving Old Trafford this summer…
If Hackney actually pans out as Wharton did for Palace, they will be propped up as geniuses like they are for Lammens and Heaven.
The worst case is that he doesn’t pan out, but simply by virtue of playing in the Premier League for Man Utd, his value will rise.
This is what happened with Daniel James, who didn’t explode at United, but the club made a profit on him because his profile was raised by playing for United.
Low wages, low transfer fee, young age, good playing profile, and high reward if the signing pans out. United can’t lose in this transfer.
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