Mats Hummels’ Manchester United denial

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has denied making any promise to join Manchester United.

It has been claimed the World Cup-winning Germany centre-back once gave former United manager Alex Ferguson his word he would move to Old Trafford some time in the future. But now, in the light of reports linking the 26-year-old with a summer switch to United, the player has dismissed such suggestions.

Hummels tweeted: “To clarify it: this supposed “promise” is simply fictitious ... and that’s the friendly formulation.”

Hummels, who could cost from £30-40m, has long been linked with United, most recently in the January transfer window.

No deal materialised then but rumours have persisted with manager Louis van Gaal a known admirer of the player and thought likely to want to bolster his defensive ranks in the summer.

Meanwhile Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is rated doubtful for Sunday’s Primera Division trip to Celta Vigo after failing to overcome a foot problem while on international duty with Argentina this week. Messi sustained the injury two weeks ago when the Catalan club took on Manchester City in the Champions League and then La Liga rivals Real Madrid in the Clasico.

The 27-year-old forward sat out Argentina’s 2-0 friendly victory over El Salvador on Saturday and was not risked in Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over Ecuador as he returns to Spain still nursing his injured foot.

Elsewhere Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has possibly been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing ligaments in his left knee while on international duty with Austria.

The 22-year-old was replaced at half-time of Austria’s 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday night and tests performed back in Munich confirmed the worst fears.