Gareth Bale targets Manchester United if he leaves Real Madrid

Gareth Bale cast his Real Madrid future into doubt imminently after inspiring the Spanish side to Champions League glory on Saturday and will target a move to Manchester United if he leaves the club, reports The Independent.

The 28-year-old came off the bench to score twice and fire Madrid to their third straight Champions League title, but insists he needs regular playing time next season after enduring a turbulent campaign.

Bale scored arguably one of the greatest ever goals in Champions League history shortly after coming on as a second half substitute, but dropped a huge bombshell about his future in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s match.

“Obviously I was very disappointed not to start the game, I felt I deserved it but the manager makes the decisions,” Bale told BT Sport.

“I need to be playing week in, week out and that has not happened this season. I had an injury five or six weeks in but [I have been] fit ever since. I have to sit down with my agent in the summer and discuss it.”

It has now emerged that if Bale decides to leave Madrid after five years at the club then he wants to return to the Premier League and join United.

However, the Red Devils have failed in their attempts to prise Bale back to the Premier League on two occasions in the past and the Madrid No.11 was not a primary target for Jose Mourinho’s side this summer.

United are focused on strengthening in midfield and defence before the start of next season, but that could change if Bale is available. United have already shown, as illustrated by signing Alexis Sanchez, they are prepared to take chances if there is an opportunity to sign a world class player.

Despite struggling for regular playing time this season, Bale has still scored 20 goals in all competitions for Madrid this season, netting 16 of those in La Liga.