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German international a priority for United Posted: 03 Jul 2014 03:55 AM PDT
Hummels has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, but Borussia Dortmund have made clear they do not intend to part ways with the German international, while Hummels himself has admitted being happy at the Westfalenstadion and not looking for a move this summer.
That, however, is unlikely to stop United trying to lure the 25-year-old to Old Trafford, according to Richard Tanner, the Daily Express’ Manchester football correspondent. “Hummels is their number one target but I don't think he wants to come. He's been quoted as saying he is happy where he is and wants another year in Germany,” Tanner told talkSPORT. “Thomas Vermaelen is very much on their radar. He might not be able to get in the Arsenal team but Manchester United fancy him. "There are also a couple of Dutch players that new boss Louis van Gaal knows well, Bruno Martins Indi and Stefan de Vrij. They are a possibility.” Since joining Dortmund in 2009, Hummels has developed into one of the best in the world in his role, combining an imposing physical presence with an excellent reading of the game and educated feet and he’d represent a huge coup for United, particularly considering he’s already accumulated vast experience at the highest level. Hummels has played 227 times for Dortmund, winning two consecutive Bundesliga titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12 and has made over 30 appearances for Germany.
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United to offload midfield flop? Posted: 03 Jul 2014 12:13 AM PDT
After arriving to Old Trafford on deadline day last season for a staggering £27m, Fellaini became the embodiment of David Moyes’ disastrous season as, much like his manager, the Belgian looked totally out of his depth, clueless at the best of time and an extremely poor deal from a financial point of view.
Ruthlessly exposed when deployed in front of the back four – a situation which was, admittedly, made worse by Moyes’ decision to play the Belgian in a role he wasn’t suited to – bereft of ideas when deployed further forward and surprisingly injury prone, Fellaini was a shadow of the player that had constantly bullied United during his Everton days and quickly became last season’s pantomime villain. Fellaini’s World Cup campaign has gone much better, with the former Everton man netting against Algeria in Belgium’s opening game before playing 90 minutes in Belgium’s next three games and looking more at ease than he’d done at any stage last season which, according to the Daily Mail, bodes well for United’s hopes of getting rid of him this summer. According to the Mail, Van Gaal has made clear to Ed Woodward that there are a host of players whose days at the club are numbered and while Fellaini might fall in the category – hopefully along the likes of Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young and Nani – finding a club willing to take the Belgian on board is not going to be an easy task. United are resigned to pay the consequences of Moyes’ disastrous decision to fork out £27m for the Belgian last year and they’ll be lucky to recoup a fraction of the fee, but getting rid of some dead wood and starting the season with a leaner and more streamlined squad is definitely worth losing out on a few millions. However, with Belgium in the quarter-finals – and the tantalising prospect of Fellaini taking on Lionel Messi – United might be short of time to find a club willing to invest on the midfielder. |
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