JOSE WON’T BALE OUT ON TOP TARGET

JOSE MOURINHO will not be fooled by Zinedine Zidane’s decision to start Gareth Bale last night. Mourinho said he would move for Bale if he was not in Real Madrid’s starting line-up, claiming it would indicate the 28-year-old was surplus to requirements for Zidane. But, with Cristiano Ronaldo (below) having been back in training for just three days, there was logic to Zidane’s decision to start with Bale. Real’s pursuit of Monaco’s £160million-rated teen sensation Kylian Mbappe means the Welshman is facing an uncertain future. Mourinho would not have stirred things up without good reason, the belief being that Bale would be attainable, if Real sign Mbappe. Last night’s encounter amounted to a very public test for Bale – to show his enduring value to Real and what he could bring potentially to United. Their boss is after one more signing to complete the quartet of positions he identified for strengthening, with Bale (left) the ideal candidate to fill the wide role. He could have scored within two minutes, after a United mix-up at the back left him with a free effort on goal, albeit a tricky one, which he flicked high and wide. Victor Lindelof was entrusted with the task of shackling Bale and struggled. But Bale was often upstaged by Isco, Casemiro (top) and Luka Modric – until the 52nd minute when his one-two with Isco saw the latter double Real’s lead. It was a reminder of what Bale can bring to the table. But he should have put the game to bed on the hour mark when he hit the bar from 10 yards out. When Ronaldo is fit, he walks straight back into Real’s side, which leaves Bale as the man to make way. His future hangs heavily on Real’s ongoing pursuit of Mbappe. But one thing is clear after last night – United’s need for Bale is greater than Real’s.