According to The Times, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he is ready to target a move for Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, who is rated at £72m according to Transfermarkt, if the Welshman is left out of the Real Madrid starting line-up for their UEFA Super Cup clash against the Red Devils in Skopje on Tuesday.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Mourinho was asked about the 28-year-old prior to his side’s match against the Champions League holders on Tuesday, and hinted that Bale’s future at the Bernabeu and his potential interest in the attacker could depend on how his involvement in Macedonia.

The Times says that the potential arrival of Monaco youngster Kylian Mbappe could push the Welshman closer to the exit door while manager Zinedine Zidane is also said to be considering starting Marcos Asensio ahead of the former Tottenham star on Tuesday night.

What did Mourinho say?

The Portuguese boss said: "If he plays, it is the clearest signal that he is staying there.

"If he is not in the club's plans and it is true that a player like Bale is at the departure gate, I will try to be there waiting for him at the other side."

How did Bale do last season?

In a frustrating campaign blighted by ankle and calf injuries, the Welshman made just 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring nine goals and providing a further five assists.

While Zidane may be concerned with the injury problems for the Wales international, Bale will hope that he has done enough during his Real career to date – in which he has scored 67 goals and picked up 51 assists in 150 outings in total – to still be a regular in the starting line-up.

Would he be a good signing for Manchester United?

He certainly would be.

The Times reports how United have been chasing the signature of Inter Milan’s Ivan Perisic this summer to show that Mourinho wants to bring in a wide forward, and Bale would certainly be an exciting addition to the Red Devils’ frontline.

The signing of the 28-year-old would not only provide a much-needed boost in wide areas, but the Wales international is versatile and also has the ability to play behind the striker or as a striker too.

It still remains to be seen whether Real would be willing to sell, and it could all depend on what happens with Mbappe in the next couple of weeks.

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/gareth-bail.mp4