Manchester United Could Land Mats Hummels if Dortmund Secure Replacement

Manchester United's hope of landing Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels have been re-ignited as the Bundesliga club is looking at replacements for the defender.

According to the Daily Mail, the German club are looking to sign Liverpool youngster Tiago Ilori on-loan as a replacement for the German international, if he leaves for Old Trafford.

Ilory joined Liverpool from Sporting Lisbon last summer and spent the second half of the season on-loan at Spanish club Grenada. It seems that scouts from various other clubs were impressed with his performances and now Dortmund have expressed an interest in taking the player on-loan if his current employers oblige.

The Anfield club could sanction a loan move for the defender as he will find it difficult to get any game time this season, following the arrival of Dejan Lovren to add to the four central defenders already present in the Liverpool squad.

Louis van Gaal has been a big admirer of the German defender, and has earmarked him as his primary defensive target. The Dutchman has also admitted that signing defenders is a priority and along with the German, has also been linked to Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen.

Dortmund have also signed young centre-back Matthias Ginter from Freiburg and the arrival of Ilori will point towards Hummels' imminent departure from the club.

However, it will all depend on the willingness of the Merseyside club to help strengthen their bitter rivals from Manchester.

Meanwhile, Darren Fletcher, who is currently United's longest serving player, has been impressed by new arrival Ander Herrera and feels that he will play a key role for the Red Devils during the upcoming campaign.

"He's a really talented footballer," Fletcher told Manchester United's official site.

"He has great enthusiasm and great energy in midfield. He always wants the ball and is always looking to make things happen.

"He's settled in really well and not only with the other Spanish-speaking lads. I think he's going to be a key player for Manchester United," the Scottish international explained.