Manchester United Transfer News: Assessing Kevin Strootman, Mats Hummels Rumours

Manchester United fans have been told not to get their hopes up regarding potential January deals for Kevin Strootman and Mats Hummels. Meanwhile, any hopes of signing Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale appear to have been completely dashed.

Strootman and Hummels are the best place to start because the pair represent more obvious needs for manager Louis van Gaal's front-loaded squad. However, Manchester Evening News reporter Stuart Mathieson (h/t Manchester Evening News writer Paul Handler) believes they'll be no movement on any deals for the Dutch holding midfielder and German centre-back this winter:

"

Mats Hummels is not that happy at Borussia Dortmund, he's on a winter break now in Germany, he might be thinking about his future, things could change there.

Kevin Strootman is on a winter break with Roma so he might be thinking about his future so things can happen, but at this moment in time I would say unlikely.

"

That has to rate as something of a blow for United. Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell identified both defence and midfield as areas needing quality reinforcements this winter:

Strootman's strength and defensive instincts at the base of midfield would have two obvious benefits.

First, they would afford extra protection in front of a defence that's been vulnerable all season. Second, the robust 24-year-old would afford more time and space for advanced playmakers such as Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria to weave their magic.

Van Gaal currently doesn't possess many natural candidates to anchor the midfield. Ageing Michael Carrick has had his share of injuries and often finds himself pressed into service along an injury-hit defence.

Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher is understandably short of playing time. Van Gaal's summer buy Daley Blind's return from a serious knee injury remains uncertain. Even Belgian bruiser Marouane Fellaini is more effective a little further forward.

Strootman would represent the ideal solution to United's issues at the base of midfield. B/R's Sam Tighe recently praised his combination of destructive tendencies and playmaking skill:

The player has long been linked with a reunion with ex-international boss Van Gaal. However, Mathieson has maintained that deal won't take place until next summer.

It looks as though United will also have to wait for Hummels. He certainly would have helped shore up a defence that's been anything but miserly this season.

Injuries, poor performances and switching between three and four-man defensive formations have doomed United at the back since Van Gaal took over. Hummels represents the marquee building block every defence needs as its foundation.

B/R analyst Sam Tighe noted that aside from durability concerns, Hummels is a gifted natural playmaker with a strong aerial presence in both boxes:

A player like that could be the bedrock of Van Gaal's possession-based game. As it is, the United gaffer will have to continue reshaping things at the back hoping he'll eventually find the magic formula.

One particularly interesting note from Mathieson's original report is the writer's declaration United are engaged in a Galacticos-style recruitment policy. That explains the persistent links to Bale.

There had been claims Los Blancos were ready to sell in order to fund other deals, per Spanish publication Sport (h/t Daily Star reporter Jack Wilson). But Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has moved to quash this rumour, according to James Orr of The Independent: "He's one of our most important players and he won't be leaving. There are no problems, rumours or questions."

Abdeljalil Bounhar/Associated Press

Fortunately for United, missing out on Bale isn't exactly a blow. Unlike in midfield and defence, Van Gaal is spoilt for choice up front.

Strikers Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie are a potentially lethal duo. Creative ace Wayne Rooney can also still find the net as well as any forward player.

Van Gaal can also call on dynamic 19-year-old James Wilson. The Dutch boss will also know there's plenty of goals between Di Maria and Mata.

The attack isn't where United's money should be spent in January. Instead, the priorities must remain a defender or two, along with a destructive holding midfield player.

That's the only way Van Gaal can add balance to his attack-heavy squad.