United ready to make a move for Bale

LONDON: Manchester United will make a move for Gareth Bale (pic) if he is left out of the Champions League final starting line-up, according to reports in Spain.

Real Madrid face Juventus in Cardiff on Saturday, and the former Tottenham Hotspur superstar has not played since picking up an injury in the defeat to Barcelona – but is expected to be fit for the showpiece.

However, Isco has been one of the stars in that period and is being tipped to start in place of the Welshman.

Should Bale be left out of Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI for the final in his home town, Mundo Deportivo claims United believe they will have a better chance of landing their man.

Florentino Perez sanctioned a fifth-world record deal on the bounce to sign him in 2013.

And has maintained he is the future of the club once Cristiano Ronaldo hangs up his boots.

But, he has failed to enjoy an injury-free season at the club and has contributed just nine goals this campaign.

Since 2014, Barcelona and Real have boasted the two best attack lines in world football with Bale, Karim Benzema and Ronaldo going up against Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

And, in that time, Los Blancos’ No. 11 boasts by far the lowest goal tally with just 45.

That tally looks even lower when compared to the 153 scored by Messi or Ronaldo’s 149 in that same period.

United are still very keen on bringing Bale, 27, back to the English Premier League, where such numbers would look more impressive.

Despite winning the Champions League twice, La Liga once and scoring the winner in two Cup finals, he is still very much No. 2 – at best – behind Ronaldo.

Jose Mourinho believes he would be able to get the best out of Bale and would make him the focal point of his United attack.