Man Utd planning raid for three Championship players as part of INEOS plan

Manchester United have shortlisted three of the Championship's best stars after previously missing out on Jude Bellingham.

The Reds are keen on Middlesbrough ace Hayden Hackney and two other Championship stars as they aim to build a stellar squad for the future, according to a report.

United are preparing for a big summer, with head coach Ruben Amorim eager for several areas of the team to be strengthened. United could sign a new striker, central midfielder, right wing-back and centre-back this summer, while they have also been tipped to swoop for a new goalkeeper to replace the under-fire Andre Onana.

In order to fund such deals, United will need to offload a number of unwanted players. Candidates to leave include Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans.

According to the Daily Mail, United are looking to sign some of the best young players in the Championship, who they feel are ready to step up to the Premier League. Boro midfielder Hackney is named as one of the targets for United’s head of recruitment Christopher Vivell.

United missed out on Bellingham when he swapped Birmingham City for Borussia Dortmund in July 2020. INEOS do not want to repeat this hugely frustrating transfer miss and are tracking two more Championship stars in addition to Hackney.

They are also admirers of thriving Sunderland duo Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham. The pair are just 17 and 19 respectively and have both played starring roles in Sunderland’s push for promotion.

If previous reports are to be believed, then Rigg is the player most likely to head to Old Trafford in the summer. United were first linked with the creative midfielder back in November. In February, it emerged that United have identified Rigg as a ‘must-have’ signing.

This interest in Championship talents aligns with INEOS’s broader strategy to invest in young, high-potential players who can develop into first-team stars, thereby reducing reliance on expensive, established names.

Hackney, a 22-year-old midfielder known for his versatility and composure on the ball, could provide the energy and creativity United’s midfield currently lacks, especially with aging players like Casemiro and Eriksen potentially on their way out.

Similarly, Rigg and Jobe Bellingham, both dynamic and technically gifted, fit the profile of players who could thrive under Amorim’s high-pressing, intense 3-4-3 system, provided they adapt to the Premier League’s physical and tactical demands.

United’s interest in these players also reflects a shift towards a more sustainable transfer model, balancing youth investment with strategic sales to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

However, competition from clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea for these talents means United must act decisively to secure their signatures, avoiding another Bellingham-esque miss.