According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United has been following Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney for some time, and their scouts saw him last night.

The 21-year-old scored the lone goal in Tuesday night’s first-leg Carabao Cup semi-final at Riverside Stadium between the Championship team and Chelsea.

Hackney’s impressive all-around performance against the Blues would have pleased the Red Devils’ representatives, but they are not the only team interested in signing him.

The England youth international is also admired by Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City, who were present when he played Chelsea.

Hackney played as an attacking midfielder behind the striker yesterday night, and Boro boss Michael Carrick praised his performances, calling Hackney a “hugely talented” player.

Man United may consider making a summer transfer move in order to add such a dedicated player to their roster.

At the moment, Middlesbrough is four points out of the play-off spots in the Championship, sitting in 11th position.

After losing to Coventry City in the play-off semifinals the previous season, they are targeting promotion to the Premier League. Man United will only have a serious chance of acquiring Hackney if Carrick is unable to lead his team to victory once more.

Although the young player is typically a centre midfielder, his ability to possess the ball allows him to often play as a deep-lying playmaker. He has the potential to be a top-tier star.

Such a hungry player is exactly what Man United needs, and it helps that he’s a native talent.

Under UEFA player quota rules, clubs must have at least eight players educated by clubs from the same national league to compete in European competitions, four of whom must come from their own development system. The Red Devils would be wise to acquire the Boro star.