ManU set to pounce if Bale is snubbed for Real final
No.1 FOR JUNIORS
MANCHESTER United manager Jose Mourinho is ready to “fight” for Gareth Bale’s signature if Real Madrid leave the attacker out of the Uefa Super Cup.
Skopje plays hosts to the annual clash between the winners of the Europa League and Champions League tonight, with both sides looking to kick the campaign off with silverware.
Bale is part of the 24- man squad in Macedonia, but speculation continues over the Wales international’s future.
There have been suggestions i n Spain that Madrid are willing to part company with the 28-year-old as they move for Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe, giving hope to long-standing admirers United.
Mourinho recently said it would be impossible to bring in Bale, but is now ready to pounce on any softening on their part.
“If he is playing, it is because he is in the coach’s plans and in the club’s plans and because he also has that ambition to continue in Real Madrid, ” the United boss said in Macedonia ahead of facing his former club.
“So I haven’t even thought of the possibility of signing him.
“If he’s not in the club’s plans, that the arrival of another player (would) perhaps (mean) Gareth would be on his way out well, I’ll be waiting for him on the other side and try to fight with other coaches that would also like to have him on his team.”
Meanwhile, Ryan Giggs has tipped Paul Pogba to hit the goal trail this season and set up a Manchester United title challenge.
Pogba found the net nine times last season after rejoining United in a then world record £89million deal, with five of those in the Premier League.
But Old Trafford legend Giggs is convinced the Frenchman will blossom this season.
He said: “I expect Pogba will improve a lot this season. He’s been back a year now and the introduction of Nemanja Matic is a good buy because it frees him up.
“That’s what you want from Pogba, getting on the end of crosses and scoring goals. He can bring the goals that might turn draws into wins and have a real effect on the team.”