mats hummels
There is something to like about Van Gaal's 3-5-2, it worked for the Dutch big time. However, they would need to have three very strong central defenders to make it work and Mats Hummels could be one of them. He has been on United's radar as a potential transfer but he has negated the rumors time and again. It will take some spending to move him to Old Trafford though. Reuters

Manchester United target Mats Hummels expressly declared that he will be leaving Borussia Dortmund on a free-transfer.

The 25-year-old World Cup gold medalist would want to set an example to younger generations, who are constantly looking for that "next bigger opportunity," to stay loyal to a club which has shown faith in them.

Unlike his former teammate Mario Gotze and the returning Shinji Kagawa, Hummels, who has been with BVB since 2009 following a move from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, intends to respect his current contract that will expire in three years in spite of interests from top clubs like United, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona.

"I wanted to set an example with the extension I signed and it will run for five years until 2017," said the Germany international.

"If Bayern had not bought Breno in 2007 for €12million [£9.6m], I would not have left, but that's the way football is sometimes."

"I was practically forced towards happiness. It was the best thing that could have happened to me."

He has been recently named successor to Sebastian Kehl as Die Schwarzgelben skipper and is apparently more than content to grace the Westfalenstadion, and will plan his next big step after his commitment with Dortmund runs out, at least, on paper.

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