Man Utd hunt German defensive duo as Moyes looks to save his job

Manchester United are planning a summer raid on the Bundesliga, after reports suggest the struggling Premier League champions are in the hunt for German defensive pair Mats Hummels and Matthias Ginter.

With United captain Nemanja Vidic leaving at the end of the season, and long-term centre back partner Rio Ferdinand likely to follow out the Old Trafford doors, David Moyes has a huge task in the summer to replace two legends at the club.

The Scot has had a somewhat turbulent first term with his new employers and, as he is odds-on at 4/7 to not be manager at the start of next season (5/4 to stay), the former Everton boss has plenty of work to do to prove he is the right man for the job.

Hummels, a ball-playing defender by trade, would be the ideal replacement for Ferdinand. Although he would be the preferred target for the Red Devils, the 28-capped international is reported to be only interested in a move if his suitors qualify for the Champions League for next season.

Currently, United are down in seventh place in the Premier League and have odds of just 8/1 to finish in the top four. It seems that their only chance of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition is by winning it.

However, after their 2-0 first leg away defeat to Olympiakos, and with odds of 40/1 to be champions, it looks highly likely United will have to settle for playing in the Europa League or no continental competitions at all next term.

Moyes’ other transfer option is Freiburg youngster Ginter. The 20-year-old has recently been called up for the first time by Germany for their upcoming friendly against Chile on March 5th, and would be cheaper and more willing to join the Red Devils.

Ginter has played in all 23 games for his side this season in the league, and has been one of the few outstanding performers in a team that is currently second from bottom in the Bundesliga.

He is priced at around £10m, and has attracted the attention from the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich, so Moyes will need to move fast to get his man. Hummels, meanwhile is being tracked by Barcelona.

United have also been linked with the likes of other Germans Toni Kroos of Bayern Munich and Hummels’ Borussia Dortmund clubmates Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus over the last few months.