Manchester United Transfer News: Mats Hummels Rumours Encouraging for Red Devils

Manchester United have been linked with myriad high-profile players in run up to the January window, but of all the stars touted—with credence or otherwise—as making a potential move to Old Trafford, Mats Hummels should be the one that brings the most encouragement for the Red Devils faithful.

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According to Anthony Chapman of the Express, Arsenal have joined United in the race for the player, who is currently the subject of a flurry of transfer speculation. But given their stature, recent progress and deep pockets, the Red Devils should remain the major favourites to land his signature should a transfer happen in January.

Louis van Gaal is turning things around at United, but the Dutchman is doing things in a somewhat unorthodox manner.

Typically, the best way to make a team tough to beat is by sorting out the defence, but after a summer splurge that saw spades of attacking talent come through the door at Old Trafford, the Red Devils look to be doing things the other way around.

It’s something Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News touched upon recently:

But if the 20-time champions of England were to go out and sign the Borussia Dortmund man in the midseason window, it’d be a case of the ends fully justifying the means. Here’s a brief look at why:

Bleacher Report’s German football expert Stefan Bienkowski thinks that the defender would be a perfect acquisition for a Premier League team:

Indeed, Hummels is rightly revered as one of the finest centre-backs in world football. Since forcing his way into the Dortmund team, he has blossomed at the Westfalenstadion, bringing what’s long been an unwaveringly steady influence to the German outfit; one that's yielded many successes for the team.

This season things have been a little different, though. Dortmund are struggling big time in the Bundesliga and at the time of writing languish down in 17th in the table. After their most recent defeat to Werder Bremen, Hummels cut a frustrated figure and pulled no punches in assessment of his team’s display, per Bundesliga.com:

"

We're trying to get our heads round this. In the last few weeks we've been okay and at home we seem to have turned a corner, but away from home, it's been anything but. 

It's quite unbelievable how rubbish we've been away from home.

"

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

For United, this January could be the perfect time to put some pressure on Dortmund with a big money bid. Of course, the German side will be reluctant to sell, but with Champions League football looking increasingly unlikely for Jurgen Klopp’s side next year, it may be worth taking an inflated figure midseason instead of waiting until the summer.

And as touched upon by Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell below, United won't be shy on spending in January:

The Red Devils have shown they have the requisite financial muscle, and a defender in the class of Hummels would surely help them achieve their own Champions League aims. With that in mind, paying a little more in January would undoubtedly be money well spent.

There has been ambitious talk of a title tilt at Old Trafford, and while that remains premature, it’s something this team will look to build toward next season and the German would be a vital part of that. For all the strides United have made under Van Gaal, the defensive issues—which have often been glossed over because of the brilliance of David de Gea—remain a pertinent problem, as we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports MNF:

To sign more forward players in January or indeed the summer would excite fans, but at this juncture it would be a major indulgence on the club’s part.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

If the Red Devils are going to spend big, it must be on a defender. And when you consider his situation, his quality, his experience and his age, Hummels is the standout candidate for Van Gaal to build his defence around as he looks to re-establish this United team at the peak of English and European football.