Five Defenders That Could Plug Man United’s Leak

Sept. 23, 2014 - PRLog -- If Manchester United’s 5-3 defeat away to Leicester City proved anything, it was that whilst Louis Van Gaal’s new look team is undoubtedly blessed with riches going forward, he is undeniably short of ‘world class’ talent at the back. We pick out five centre-backs that United could turn to in either January or next summer, that would go a long way to bringing some much needed guile and composure to their defence.

Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund

The 25-year-old has been a stalwart at the heart of Dortmund’s defence since joining the club for just €4 million back in 2009. A product of Bayern Munich’s youth academy, the German international has amassed over 140 appearances for Dortmund, winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles between 2010-2012 and was a runner up in the 2013 Champions League final.

Hummels is as important for his country as he is to Dortmund, since making his senior debut in 2010, the player has gone on to accumulate over 36 caps, scoring four times – including at last summer’s World Cup against Portugal in an opening 4-0 win. Germany went onto win the tournament and Hummels was named on the 10-man shortlist for FIFA’s Golden Ball award for best player.

It’s no secret that Van Gaal is an admirer of Hummels and despite United’s best attempts to prize him away during the summer transfer window, Hummels ended up staying, with Jurgen Klopp making him the club’s new captain. Reports suggest that it hasn’t dissuaded the Red Devils, and the club are still confident of getting their no.1 defensive target – be it in either January or, more likely, next summer.

Proposed cost: £20-£25 million

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