MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly ready to battle three rivals for Middlesbrough hero Hayden Hackney.
The midfielder scored the only goal of the game in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win over Chelsea.
And local lad Hackney is now dreaming of completing the job at Stamford Bridge to seal Boro’s place in the final at Wembley.
Hackney, 21, marked a glorious comeback to Michael Carrick’s starting XI following 10 games out with a groin injury as he sent home fans wild at the Riverside.
But Hackney is now attracting interest from some of the Premier League’s top teams.
According to the Standard, Man United are extremely interested in snapping him up this summer.
The Red Devils are ready to take advantage of their relationship with former player Carrick by opening talks over a deal for Hackney.
The ace has established himself as a talented defensive midfielder and could be seen as the long-term replacement for Casemiro.
However, United have to contend with interest from not one but THREE rivals.
Man City, Liverpool and Tottenham are all looking to boost their home-grown numbers for Europe next season.
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And Hackney is seen as an ideal addition for all three sides.
Like United, they too are planning to make moves for the youngster this summer.
But Boro are open to selling Hackney this month should they receive a “sensational offer”.
Boss Carrick certainly feels the ace deserves all the plaudits after last night’s win against Chelsea.
Carrick said: “Honestly, it couldn’t happen to a nicer lad.
“He’s everything you could ever hope for in a player. He’s humble, hard working, hugely talented obviously and he’s great to work with.
“He’s the life and soul of this club, as I said last week, and for him to get that goal, he’s had his eye on this game, he’s been injured for a few weeks and this was the target.
“We set up his plan in getting some minutes on Saturday ready for tonight and he just about got through it in the end.
“He’s played in a different position tonight, off the left a bit higher up. Maybe I’ve been playing him in the wrong position because every time he’s played off the left he’s ended up scoring.
“That’s three or four times now so I might have to look at that.
“He’s humble, hard working, down to earth, respectful, you can see what it meant to him when he scored. He’s just an absolute joy to have here.”
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