Report: Manchester United not plotting Bale approach

Manchester United aren't planning to submit a bid for Gareth Bale in the summer despite the Welshman's apparently uncertain future at Real Madrid, sources told ESPN's Mark Ogden.

The chief deterrents for United are reportedly the cost of acquiring him and the fact that Bale is 29 years old. Sources said the northwest powerhouse would rather seek young, promising talent to help rebuild the squad.

Former Red Devils manager David Moyes tried to tempt Bale to Old Trafford in 2013, but the attacker instead joined Real Madrid for a sum that exceeded €100 million. The amount, belatedly released by Football Leaks, set a world-record transfer fee at the time.

Spanish media and Los Blancos supporters regularly submit negative reviews of Bale's performances. His position at the Santiago Bernabeu is believed to have become more tenuous upon the return of Zinedine Zidane as manager; the Frenchman repeatedly benched Bale during his previous tenure, often preferring Isco as a focal point in his lineup.

Earlier in March, Bale's agent, Jonathan Barnett, branded Real Madrid fans "a disgrace" for jeering the Southampton product's efforts in a Clasico defeat to Barcelona. "The press are also a disgrace, but less important," Barnett added.

Bale's status on the Iberian peninsula wasn't helped by recent interviews with Marcelo and Thibaut Courtois that revealed their teammate doesn't speak much Spanish and was nicknamed "the golfer" due to his fondness for the links.

Bale has won La Liga, a Copa del Rey, and four Champions League titles since leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Real Madrid. He's scored phenomenal goals on the biggest stages, including an obscene acrobatic effort against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final.