Manchester United are missing a trick and could take a page from Crystal Palace’s book in terms of recruitment.
Crystal Palace look likely to complete the signing of Adam Wharton imminently for a fee of £22 million which could soon look a bargain. This isn’t the first time that the Selhurst Park side have dipped their toes into the Championship market and when they do, it seems to end in success.
Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze are two of these names, with both being wonderful signings whom the Manchester United recruitment team could only envy.
Now with another name being brought up in Wharton, United must use this learn from Palace before making Hayden Hackney a top target in the summer.
With the big six largely ignoring the Championship which has some truly special players to choose from, United could have found a gap in the market and offered some of the better ones a chance, Hackney is just that.
Manchester United must target Hayden Hackney
With the midfield a priority for Ineos to strengthen this summer, Hackney could be the exact profile they should be looking at in what could be a genius move.
Hackney is wanted by both Manchester sides along with a few other Premier League sides, and it is clear to see why as he continues to impress this season.
Hackney has benefited from the tutelage of the brilliant Michael Carrick and he’s the kind of signing Sir Alex Ferguson would opt for, supreme potential with the right manager needed to bring him to a world-class level.
The Middlesbrough midfielder has also recently proven he’s good enough to face Premier League opposition, giving an excellent account of himself against Chelsea in the EFL Cup.
In two games against the English giants, he scored and assisted goals while managing a 7.6 match rating in the first leg and then a 7 in the second, as per Fot Mob.
Hackney would be a smart signing, one which could define a new recruitment policy
Reaching a league below to sign Hackney for a relatively cheap deal would be smart. He’s not a player guaranteed to start but he has the potential to do so.
His qualities are in line with what a top side needs with his on-the-ball quality probably instantly only bettered by Kobbie Mainoo (in midfield) at United right now.
A signing which would be with long-term view, and someone who will only grow in value if United are run right.
So United should be watching Palace signing Wharton and thinking they can take a thing or two from this and sign Hackney.
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