Mourinho: I will fight for Bale if Madrid don’t want him
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is prepared to fight off other managers should Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale seek a transfer away from Spain.
More from Red Devil Armada
- Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
- Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
- Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
- Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
- Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad
Amid reports of Real Madrid’s interest in Monaco wondered Mbappe, many have suggested it’s the Welshman Bale who Zidane deems expendable. If fiction turns into fact, Mourinho has confirmed he is ready to pounce, even placing pressure on the La Liga giants ahead of the UEFA Super Cup final tomorrow.
Talking in the pre-match press conference about his interest in the former Tottenham player, Jose said, “Well if Bale is playing tomorrow, no I wouldn’t think of that. It’s because he’s in the coach’s plans and the club’s plans, because he also has that motivation to continue at Real Madrid.”
“So I haven’t even thought about the possibility. If he is not in the club’s plans, with the arrival of another player, that would mean he was on his way out. I will try to be waiting for him on the other side and fight with other coaches that would want him on their team.” Mourinho declared.
The Manchester United manager added, “But if he plays, that is the best confirmation that he is wanted by the team.”. Jose is known for his mind-games and it appears like he is trying to force Zidane’s hand by starting Bale in Macedonia. It’s also likely that the Portuguese manager is attempting to cause a rift in the ranks in Madrid by pitting player vs manager.
Without a doubt, any player would love to feature for their club in a cup final and if they do then it shows their importance to their respective clubs and managers. So, Mourinho isn’t stating anything new but by putting the obvious out there it can manipulate proceedings in his favour.
Should Gareth not start for the La Liga giants tomorrow, he will surely be wondering whether there’s truth to Jose’s words and whether he should consider moving. Of course the second the winger makes clear of his intentions to leave the United boss will be the first in line for his signature as he was for Matic.
Mourinho has previously stated his desire to sign a winger for his final transfer of the summer and Bale fits that criteria. The Madrid man would also represent a star signing with United not really kicking up much fuss this transfer window despite Lukaku and Matic coming relatively close to that.
Next: Denis Irwin: Manchester United squad is far more balanced
Last year Paul Pogba was Jose’s super signing and it appears that he has his eye on making Bale this summer’s huge transfer. It seems like Mourinho is trying to get the Welshman to specifically ask for a transfer away to United in the same manner Matic did in order to turn, an otherwise impossible transfer, into a reality. Can it all happen before the window shuts?