BERLIN (AFP) - Germany centre-back Mats Hummels has played down reports of a planned bid from Manchester United with the Borussia Dortmund captain insisting his only focus is helping the Bundesliga strugglers.

The British media have linked the 26-year-old to a bid from Louis van Gaal's United with the Dutch coach a fan of the German defender.

Hummels has a contract until 2017 and said the latest speculation would not distract him from helping Dortmund climb up the Bundesliga table after losing 10 of their first 17 matches.

He added that he expected to stay with Dortmund even if they missed out on international competition for the first time in five years next season.

"Are you looking for a headline? No, I'll keep doing what I have done for the last seven years," he told German daily Bild.

"I am really relaxed and I'm thinking only of what part I can contribute on the field and in the changing rooms, so that we improve and leave the relegation places as quickly as possible."

Borussia face fellow Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen away on Saturday as the Bundesliga resumes after the winter break.

With Dortmund second from bottom, speculation is rife their stars will leave if they miss out on qualifying for the Champions League or, in the worst-case scenario, are relegated.

Germany midfielder Marco Reus has been heavily linked to Real Madrid with United also reported to be interested in defensive midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.