Manchester United Transfer News: Mats Hummels Bayern Munich Exit Rumoured

Manchester United's longstanding interest in Germany defender Mats Hummels could be renewed following reports he's considering leaving Bayern Munich as a result of Niko Kovac's rotation policy.

Bild reported Hummels is considering a departure after starting only three times in the Bundesliga this term (h/t Mirror's Aaron Flanagan).

He rejected a move to Old Trafford before rejoining Die Roten in 2016. Juventus have also been linked with a move for Hummels, per Bild (h/t Mundo Deportivo, via CalcioMercato.com)

Jerome Boateng and Niklas Sule have been Kovac's preferred central-defensive partnership, while Javi Martinez is another option—the Spaniard has two league starts to his name this season.

Bleacher Report's Alex McGovern attested to Bayern's strength in depth in the position, which suggests they would maintain a quality contingent of centre-backs even if Hummels leaves:

It's no secret that the Red Devils are in the market for a new defender despite the arrivals of Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, both 24, in recent years.

Hummels is a more recognised, world-class force in the role and illustrated his leadership qualities with the opening strike in his side's UEFA Champions League draw against Ajax (U.S. only):

His age could be a deciding factor in whether United make a move, however. The club vetoed a move for the 29-year-old Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld in the summer because they felt the signing was too shortsighted, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News.

Bayern's stalwart is four months older than the Spurs centre-back and, by that same logic, would be an even shorter-term fix—Hummels turns 30 in December.

Alderweireld was just one of the star defenders linked with a move to United over the summer, along with Boateng and Leicester City's Harry Maguire, per Sky in Germany.

Hummels isn't perfect, though. Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp managed the player at Borussia Dortmund and said he could be a hothead at times, per sports writer Neil Jones:

It was reported in the summer that Bayern had won the race to sign Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard, a potential heir to Hummels, though the player denied those claims in an interview with L'Equipe (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani).

Jose Mourinho's certainly wouldn't leave the German out of his team, though it's debatable whether the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner would trade Bayern for the Old Trafford club in its current messy state.