Man Utd Transfers - 5 Centre-Back Alternatives To Mats Hummels

By Joseph Dempsey / May 22, 2014

With Louis van Gaal named as Manchester United's new manager, and with a reported £200 million transfer kitty to spend on new players, the club have been tipped to sign a series of world class players. However, it would appear Mats Hummels will not be one of them. The departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic this summer have left a huge void to be filled at the heart of United's defence, with Germany international Hummels thought to be high on the club's list of replacements. But the 25-year-old's father and agent, Herman Hummels, this week put a huge dent in the Red Devil's hopes of signing the Dortmund defender by insisting van Gaal has yet to make any contact over a potential deal.

"I know Louis van Gaal from his time at Bayern Munich," Herman said.

"He's not contacted me about Mats moving to Manchester (United) though.

Herman threw a further spanner in the works by claiming his son and agent is happy at Dortmund, and is only thinking about Germany's upcoming World Cup campaign.

"I have heard some rumours but Mats is happy at Dortmund at the moment, and only thinking about the World Cup," Hummels Snr added.

This news will clearly come as a set-back to United, who had identified Hummels as the player they wanted to come in and form part of their new-look defence next season.

But it could be that van Gaal's side now have to look into alternatives, and here are 5 we had in mind. Click 'Next' to get started.