Hummels not the right man for United defence, as he is slow and can't defend: Hargreaves

Mats Julian Hummels of Borussia Dortmund reacts in a Bundesliga match

Former Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves has claimed that Germany international Mats Hummels is not the right man for the Old Trafford team and advised them to sign a more physical player. Hummels, who currently plays as a centre-back for Borussia Dortmund, has been heavily linked for a move to England in the summer.

The Goal reported that the former England international midfielder in an exclusive talk with BT Sport feels that the World cup winner is slow and cannot defend properly and hence, United should not sign him. He told: "He's a super, super ball-playing centre-back but I don't think he can defend, he's too slow.”

Further, Hargreaves, who played for the Red Devils for four years but played just 39 matches because of injuries, also called Hummels "the new Franz Beckenbauer", but still not the right man to strengthen his old club’s defence.

"He's Franz Beckenbauer, the new version, a super passer but I think that if I’m Manchester United I want [Nemanja] Vidic, I want [Vincent] Kompany.

Manchester United is speculated to go after the central defender at the end of the current season. The former Bayern Munich player also added that United should bring in a more physical player than Hummels.

"I think he's a nice football player, he's easy on the eye, but United need somebody physical, a presence.

"He's the captain of Borussia Dortmund, they're last in the Bundesliga. Is that the measuring stick for Manchester United? I'm not so sure." said Hargreaves.