5 reasons why Manchester United should sign Gareth Bale

Barcelona v Real Madrid - La Liga
On his way out?

Despite scoring 81 points and securing a second-placed finish - their highest ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, there is not much joy emanating from around Old Trafford and from those who are committed to the club.

Of course, finishing second is never something to cheer about, certainly not for Manchester United but despite the definitive improvement Jose Mourinho has made there still remains a couple of question marks that need to be answered if they are to challenge on all fronts next season.

One of those question marks is their right wing where a lack of consistent quality has been an issue for Mourinho to deal with and it is certainly an aspect he needs to touch upon to add another dimension to their attack.

It has been a similar story for Real Madrid's Gareth Bale as well, with the Welshman undergoing a testing season with the Spanish outfit. Madrid magnificently find themselves in a third straight Champions League final but the exit talks surrounding Bale just fail to go away.

On that note, we look at 5 reasons why Gareth Bale will be an incredible buy for Manchester United:


#5 Finding his feet

Real Madrid v Celta de Vigo - La Liga
Bale is slowly hitting top form

A major reason for Bale's downfall (by his standards) this season can be attributed to a couple of injuries that kept him out of the game for more than two months. A hamstring injury and recurring calf problems continued to trouble him and in the meanwhile, fell down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane.

However, since his return shortly after the turn of the year, he has slowly started to find his feet and reach the heights he is capable of. He has scored 8 goals in his last 9 league games and when he was started in games between crucial Champions League ties, he has not failed to deliver.

With 18 goals and 8 assists to his name, Bale has averaged a decent 125 minutes per goal ratio and his late resurgence provides a case for Mourinho to rethink his transfer plans. He still has a lot to offer and a move will certainly bode well for the player.

#4 Rising tensions with Zidane?

Real Madrid v APOEL Nikosia - UEFA Champions League
Issues between the two?

Since he missed a crucial part of Real Madrid's season through injury, the problems multiplied for the Welshman as he found himself out of favour with Zidane once he returned.

Madrid has largely adopted a 4-3-1-2 formation this season and Cristiano Ronaldo has been deployed in a central role alongside Karim Benzema. Isco had similar issues with Zidane in the past but his eye-catching performances has helped him to earn back his trust.

Bale works best when Madrid plays a 4-3-3 set up as he can use his pace, ability to cut-inside from the wider areas and shoot to devastating effect and the change in formation has often forced him to be content with opportunities from the bench.

There have been rumours of growing discontent within Bale's camp and some outlets have even reported of rising tensions between the two. Zidane has even discussed the possibility of Bale leaving in the summer as well.

#3 The right-winger Mourinho craves for

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - The Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final
No player could cement the position

Manchester United were extensively linked with Antoine Griezmann and Ivan Perisic last summer, with Mourinho making his intentions clear to the United board that he wants an established player who is adept at playing on the right flank.

But neither move could materialise as a transfer ban for Atletico Madrid saw Griezmann stay put and Inter Milan played hardball over the sale of Perisic and tried to extract maximum money from The Red Devils.

Thus, Mourinho has tinkered with his personnel on the right wing throughout the season and none of his players have been able to put in consistent shifts to cement the position.

In Gareth Bale, Mourinho has a winger who fits perfectly in his profile of a right-winger. Bale has the ability to put in decent crosses into dangerous areas and he takes some stopping when he decides to cut in and unleash long-range belters with his left foot.

He is also a really hard worker and expertly marauds up and down the flanks effortlessly. His physicality is also a huge plus and helps him to get the better of his markers with ease very often.

#2 Knows the Premier League inside out

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland - Premier League
Bale shot to fame with Spurs

Primarily a left-back, Bale made the switch to Tottenham from Southampton in 2013. He played as a left-back in his early days at Tottenham as well but slowly started to show his promise going up front and his offensive output slowly evolved.

He went on to make more than 200 appearances for the London club and had a hand in 114 goals in the process. He literally exploded in the 2012-13 season when he scored 26 goals and made 15 assists in 43 games.

His exploits were rightly rewarded as he was voted as the PFA Young Player of the Year, PFA PLayer's Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year.

We have so often witnessed players failing to adapt to the ferocity and intensity of the Premier League, particularly foreign players, but rest assured, that certainly won't be an issue with Bale.

He will make himself at home in no time which is always an advantage for big-money moves to make the desired impact. He will instantly make them more lethal and has the capability to give a much-needed facelift to their attack as well.

#1 An unstoppable machine on his day

Real Madrid v Deportivo La Coruna - La Liga
One of the best in the business

Despite the fact that he will soon turn 29, despite the nibbling injury concerns, there is absolutely no question that Gareth Bale is one of the best players in the world.

United have lacked quality and experience in the final-third this season and we are yet to see the best of Alexis Sanchez as well. Once the Chilean gets some much-needed rest and a proper pre-season with Mourinho we can expect him to cause havoc.

Likewise, Bale is all fired up at the moment and is hell-bent on putting his doubters in place. On the biggest stage, he can be the inspiration, he can be the go-to man when the going gets tough and he has the ability to step and deliver when his team needs him most.

He is also mentally strong enough to withstand the pressure of expectations and over the years has evolved to be a man for the big occasion, scoring so many important goals for Tottenham and Real Madrid,

His expertise and dedication off the field is also appreciated by players and managers alike and as he enters into the final stretch of his career, a move to Manchester United can re-ignite the wizardry he owns and lead them to trophies.

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