Mats Hummels: I'd like to play for Manchester United one day

Germany defender Mats Hummels has played down the likelihood of a summer move to Manchester United, but admitted the prospect of playing at Old Trafford could appeal "some day"

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Hummels, who scored a first-half header during the 4-0 Group G victory against Portugal in Salvador on Monday, has emerged as Louis van Gaal’s priority defensive target following the Holland coach’s appointment as United manager.

United are also pursuing Arsenal’s Thomas Vermaelen as part of their rebuilding programme this summer, but the club continues to harbour hopes that Borussia Dortmund can be persuaded to sell 25-year-old centre-half Hummels.

But with his focus currently on helping Germany to win their first World Cup since 1990 in Brazil, Hummels insists thoughts of a move to United are not a priority.

“I never think about that or talk about it because it is something that isn’t important for me right now,” Hummels said. “Maybe it will be some day, but I don’t expect it to be like that this summer.”

About Hummels

Still only 25-years-old, Hummels is an established Bundesliga and German international central defender.

A product of Bayern Munich’s youth academy—and student of Jurgen Klopp's football philosophies and ideologies—Hummels is an intelligent leader for club and country.

Having formed a resilient partnership with Neven Subotic, the pair were part of Dortmund’s defence when they had the Bundesliga’s best defensive record during their 2010-11 title-winning season.

Dortmund and Hummels lifted the Bundesliga shield again a year later, before reaching the European Cup Final at Wembley in 2012.

His height and strength allows Hummels to frustrate the league’s attackers, reading plays intelligently and cutting out danger athletically.

Hummels has struggled with injury problems in 2013-14, reducing his Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund to just 15 matches, but he boasts an 85 percent pass accuracy record and has won 85 percent of his take ons, according to Squawka.

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