United Move Closer To £40M Deal, Mat Hummels On His Way Finally
With all the problems that Manchester United have faced defensively this season, many pundits have wondered why Louis van Gaal concentrated more on the midfield and attack. This is not to say that the Dutch made frivolous spending in other departments because even with all the criticisms, he still sanctioned the acquisition of 2 defenders Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw. But when you consider the fact that the club, finished in an agonizing 7th place last season and has also seen the exodus of three senior defenders last summer, yes, Manchester United released Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, and Patrice Evra, three of their captain materials, you’d realise the that the club needs at least 2 seasoned centre backs to lead the current crop of young defenders.
Although if the injury scare that marred the club’s start to the season had been a bit fair, maybe Jonny Evans would have stepped up to the occasion but then this is Manchester United, and when you are big club, there is the need for several contingency plans to fall back on in the event of situation such as this. Louis van Gaal had several options to look to last summer, there were many world class defenders who transferred or could have switched before the transfer window closed. It was this summer that Mehdi Benatia and Thomas Vermaleen made switches to Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively. If you say that Arsenal chose not to do the Vermaleen business with Manchester United, then what about Aston Villa’s Rob Vlaar?
Anyway, it appears that Louis van Gaal is not satisfied with his team just yet and has decided to bring in another Marquee signing, this time in the defence. After spending £150m on transfers alone this summer, he will once again fork out £40m to test the resolve of Borussia Dortmund over Mats Hummels. Despite Mats recent statements that he won’t be exiting the German club for monetary gains, The Mirror reports that the Centre-back wants a bumper increment in his current wage structure and with his German employers not willing to yield to his demands, not regarding his invaluable importance at the club, a move might be imminent.
Hence, Manchester United will be hoping that this development materialize in to what might make their defensive target scout for new employers as Mats Hummels who is barely 25-years-old will fit into Louis van Gaal’s rebuilding process. If he eventually makes the switch, Mats will bring class to the Red Devils defence and also forge a partnership unit with either Marcos Rojo or Jonny Evans. Manchester United in their bid to replace the rock solid Nemanja Vidic will do well to sign up Hummels.