Manchester United: Mats Hummels denies Old Trafford promise as Stefan de Vrij quashes rumours

Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels has denied promising to join Manchester United, while Lazio defender Stefan De Vrij has ruled out a future move to Old Trafford after quashing speculation regarding his future.

Reports emerged on 31 March that Hummels had promised former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson three years ago he would move to the club as the Germany World Cup winner continues to be linked with a £36m ($53m) move to the 20-time Premier League champions.

But the despite the 26-year-old regularly flirting with the idea with a move away from Dortmund, Hummels has denied any interest in a move to United, labelling the reports as an "invention".

"Just to be clear. This alleged 'promise' is simply an invention... and that is saying it nicely," he posted via his official Twitter account.

The news has followed confirmation from another defender linked with a move to United, De Vrij, that there is no truth attached to speculation that manager Louis van Gaal's team are interested in the Netherlands international.

De Vrij featured in all of the Dutch national team's games at the 2014 World Cup as they finished in third place and his close relationship with Van Gaal could have helped complete a deal.

However, less than a season into his career at Lazio, after his 2014 summer move from Feyenoord, the defender denied any interest in a move to English football.

"I know nothing about Manchester United's interest towards me," he told De Telegraaf. "But I've the habit to the links to other clubs made by media. I'm really happy at Lazio; everything is going positively and I'm concentrated only about this."

Injury and Van Gaal's failure to settle on a definitive system in his opening season has seen United's defence much changed this term and that could yet lead to further changes in personnel in the summer.