Man Utd Transfers: 10 Signings To Save Louis Van Gaal's Summer

9. Mats Hummels

In an ideal world United would replace not just Rio Ferdinand but Nemanja Vidic as well and sign two new centre-backs this summer. Vermaelen would be step in the right direction but van Gaal would be prudent to partner him with another quality centre-half - someone like Mats Hummels. Like Vermaelen, United have been linked with Hummels for quite some time now, but their pursuit has been on-again-off-again. Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp has made it clear he has no intention of selling the German World Cup winner but that has not put an end to speculation linking the 25-year-old with a move to Old Trafford. Hummels would be a fantastic addition to the side and is considered the heir-apparent to Ferdinand. He leads from the back and poses a commanding presence, and was instrumental in Germany's World Cup success this summer. The defender was also an essential cog in the Dortmund machine that won back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12 and he is a player used to the pressures of a title race and playing in the big games. United would be easing nearly all of their defensive woes by landing Hummels this season and van Gaal must do whatever it takes to bring him to the Theatre of Dreams.