Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels tries to score against Hoffenheim's Niklas Suele (L) during their Bundesliga first division soccer match in Dortmund December 5, 2014.
Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels tries to score against Hoffenheim's Niklas Suele (L) during their Bundesliga first division soccer match in Dortmund December 5, 2014. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender

Manchester United and their manager Louis van Gaal are desperate to land a solid centre back who will lead their defensive unit. Mats Hummels was their primary target last summer but the deal did not materialise. Things have changed dramatically since then and the settled Borussia Dortmund team is now in shambles. The stars, including captain Mats Hummels is looking for a way out.

Mats Hummels, 26, won the Bundesliga with his present club as recently as the 2010-11 and the 2011-12 seasons. He won the DFL-Pokal in 2011-12, the DFL-Supercup in 2013 and 2014 and was runners up in the UEFA Champions League in 2012-13. While at Borussia Dortmund he won the UEFA European Under 21 Championship in 2009 and the FIFA World Cup 2014. It was no surprise that he was reluctant to let go of such a successful association. So rightfully the summer bid by Manchester United to get him at Old Trafford was rejected by both the club and the player.

Things have changed quite dramatically this season. Jurgen Klopp's side are the second last team in the league, level on points with the last team. They have won just four of their 17 matches and are better than the bottom placed team by virtue of scoring one more goal. There is a high probability that they would be relegated at the end of the season.

Manchester United have major problems at the back. Regular centre backs Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have had constant injury problems. The side backs have not done very well either. Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Rafael are injured. The temporary solutions in Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have also injured themselves. Things are so bad that van Gaal might not be able to play a flat back four as there are not enough fit players to fit the system.

With Ron Vlaar, the Aston Villa centre back injuring himself and subsequently undergoing surgery, he will be out for six weeks. He was another probably substitute should United fail to land Mats Hummels. Another option at van Gaal's disposal is Atletico Madrid'd defender Diego Godin. It is speculated that Manchester United could trigger the £28M release clause present in his contract.

To contact the author of this article email a.biswas@IBTimes.com.au

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