Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Signings Linked in Red Devils Rumours

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Mats Hummels has slammed Borussia Dortmund's poor Bundesliga form, potentially opening the door for a mega Manchester United move, according to reports.

The German centre-back continues to be linked with a £47 million switch to Old Trafford. This rumour has progressed over the last year but finally looks to be gathering momentum. Dortmund suffered their 10th domestic-division defeat from 17 matches against Werder Bremen on Saturday, leaving them joint last in the Bundesliga.
Let's not forget this side won the league back-to-back between 2010 and 2012, reaching the Champions League final one season later. Hummels isn't used to a relegation scrap and has created many headlines by slamming Dortmund's lack of fight.

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"We've managed pretty well at home in recent weeks, but not at all away," said the 26-year-old, per James Dickenson of the Express. "It's pretty astonishing that we are so pathetic."
During the side's previous away defeat against Hertha Berlin, Hummels blanked the support of travelling fans after the final whistle, noted by FourFourTwo writer Alex Chaffer:
United's defensive vulnerabilities came to the fore during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa. Christian Benteke was afforded far too much time prior to opening the scoring, with Jonny Evans and Phil Jones continuing to look off the pace.
A lack of physical dominance is troubling at the moment, as the sense that United are prone to be bullied by powerful forwards continues to show.
Van Gaal is being linked with a £25 million move for Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrao, per Anthony Chapman of the Express—a player David Moyes was reportedly close to signing last season—but further left-back additions are no longer needed. Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Ashley Young can all play this position, so the Portuguese defender would represent a colossal waste of funds at this stage.

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Sticking with Madrid, the Express continues to suggest Gareth Bale is open to playing for United. John Richardson of the aforementioned publication reports the Welshman "has given the green light" for such a transfer to go ahead, while Dickenson writes, "Express Sport understands Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is keen on a stunning £80 million return to the Premier League."
It seems unlikely Madrid would cash-in so soon after Bale's arrival, particularly for a sum that is less than the £85 million he cost.
Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is a shrewd dealer and is unlikely to accept anything less than a profit and subsequent world-record fee. The line that Bale is willing to move remains without official confirmation and seems misappropriated in this case.
Barcelona's Sergio Busquets is also touted as a possibility by Anthony Chapman of the Express, who believes the Spanish midfielder is "keeping his eye open for a new challenge" and "could be tempted by a switch to the Premier League."

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Busquets can be considered an unlikely alternative to Kevin Strootman, who United have "a strong chance of signing" in January, according to ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney. Both players love to pass the ball and are excellent at breaking up play, making them perfect long-term replacements for Michael Carrick.
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes Strootman and Hummels aren't the answer for United, reported by Simon Rice of The Independent:

I think they'll probably get another midfielder, it looks like they're trying to get Kevin Strootman. But that's not what they need. What they really need is a new Nemanja Vidic, a new Rio Ferdinand to compliment the others at the back.
I don't think they need Mats Hummels, as good as a footballer as he is. I think he's one of the best passers at the back but I think they need a defender, one who can handle one-v-ones—like a Vincent Kompany. That's exactly what they need.

Van Gaal appears to have a plethora of options to weigh through. Football pundit Andy Brassell recently told B/R UK's Ryan Bailey exactly what United need to add in January: