Retired Manchester United legendary midfielder Paul Scholes has acknowledged United’s interest in Real Madrid’s World Record signing Gareth Bale. He feels that the fans at Old Trafford will love to see Bale at Manchester in the coming summer.
The Welshman is reportedly unsettled at Real Madrid, less than two years on from his world record £80m move from Tottenham Hotspur. Bale in his first season helped Madrid claim the Champions League and Copa del Rey by scoring key goals in both the finals.
But the 25-year-old’s form has dipped in the second half of the campaign. A group of Real fans made their displeasure at Bale evident last week when they attacked the winger’s car as he left training in the aftermath of a Clasico defeat to Barcelona.
Also many are calling for Carlo Ancelotti to drop him from the starting line-up. These incidents have suggested that Bale may no longer want to stay in a place where he is no more loved and the club could look to cut their losses on the former Spurs star.
While writing in his column for the Independent, Scholes has suggested that United could be the ones to benefit from it. “My feeling is that he would be perfect for Manchester United,” he said.
“Of course, as a fan of my former club I would like to see him there but, looking at it objectively, I always felt that Bale was a natural fit for United as he developed at Tottenham from a left-back into one of the best attacking footballers in the country.
The former English midfielder believes that signing Bale would turn United into a serious title contender. “He would be loved at Old Trafford. In return I believe he could turn Louis van Gaal’s team into serious title contenders next season. In my years at United I witnessed some signings who, over their careers, transformed the fortunes of the team.
“From Eric Cantona when I was an apprentice, to Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney. These were great footballers who became great United players. Bale has the potential to make as much of an impact as any of them.
“All good players need to be appreciated. Bale would be coming to United in a time of change when the team is looking for leaders. Madrid will always be in a state of upheaval, with new presidents and a fresh intake of players each summer.
Scholes also feels that this signing him would help the club to stabilise themselves in the post Ferguson era. “At United there has also been great change in the past 22 months, but the club is trying to move towards stability in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era” he added.