Manchester United’s bid to reinforce their midfield this summer has hit a major setback, with a Premier League rival stepping in to secure one of their targets.

Back in May, reports from The Daily Mail indicated that United were ready to allocate around £150 million for the acquisition of three central midfielders during the transfer window. Of this, around £80 million was reserved for a marquee signing, £40 million for a replacement for Manuel Ugarte, and £20 million for a third midfield addition.

Ederson was believed to be the secondary midfield option, while Elliot Anderson had been identified as United’s top target. However, Manchester City have now won the race for Anderson, agreeing to pay a British transfer record fee to Nottingham Forest to secure his signature.

Meanwhile, Mateus Fernandes has surfaced as another possible signing, but Tottenham Hotspur have shown strong intent to outbid United for the highly-rated West Ham United talent.

Among the other names on United’s radar was Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, a technically adept 24-year-old English midfielder who recently claimed the EFL Championship Player of the Season award after delivering 13 goal contributions from midfield.

Hackney played a crucial role under Michael Carrick’s management at Middlesbrough, where his composure and vision made him a standout performer. Recently, The Peoples Person highlighted that Carrick has long admired Hackney, having worked closely with him during his time at Boro, and was believed to be urging his current employers to consider a move once other summer priorities were addressed.

Nevertheless, United’s hierarchy remain focused on pursuing Mateus Fernandes, confident that they can outmanoeuvre Tottenham in that particular chase. In doing so, they appear to have left the door open for another Premier League club to swoop in for Hackney.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Everton have reached an agreement with Middlesbrough for Hackney, settling on a transfer fee of £25 million. The Telegraph adds that Middlesbrough had previously rejected multiple bids for their captain, but talks between the two sides are now nearing completion, with a full deal expected to be finalised later this week.

With Hackney entering the final year of his contract, Middlesbrough found themselves under increasing pressure to cash in rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next year.

Considering Hackney’s familiarity with Carrick’s coaching style and his reasonable price tag, he seemed like an ideal candidate for United’s third midfield signing. However, unless Ineos plan to intervene and hijack Everton’s move, United will have to turn their attention elsewhere in search of midfield reinforcements.