Gareth Bale has revealed he could’ve joined Manchester United instead of Real Madrid.
The five-time Champions League winner was often linked with the Red Devils throughout his playing days.
Bale has revealed why he snubbed a move to United[/caption]
However, he retired in 2023 without securing a transfer to Old Trafford.
Bale has now admitted the closest he came to United was when he was leaving Tottenham for the first time.
After being named both PFA Players’ Player and Young Player of the Year in 2013, the Welshman completed a then world record transfer of £85million to the Spanish capital.
United had been keen on signing Bale, though, having been fresh from winning their 20th league title.
Explaining his decision to snub the Red Devils, he told Drive: “There was a couple of times I was close to joining. Never quite materialised.
“Probably the closest was when I actually joined Madrid. It was between Man United and Real Madrid.
“I think at the time, Sir Alex Ferguson had left. So, it didn’t quite have that aura. I think the team was ageing a little bit. I felt like I’d always had my heart set on Madrid anyway.
“But I feel like I made the right decision in the end. Not to be horrible to Man United fans, but I feel like I made the right choice.”
Sir Alex Ferguson retired as United boss in 2013 after over 26 years in charge, with David Moyes named as his replacement, but was sacked eight months later with United coming seventh and failing to win a trophy at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.
Meanwhile, Bale headed to the Bernabeu, winning the Champions League in his first season in Spain.
Ferguson’s exit affected United’s ‘aura’ according to Bale[/caption]
Over the next nine years, he would win a further 15 trophies, including another four European crowns.
During that time, Bale scored 106 goals and provided 67 assists in 258 appearances for the club.
Across the 12 years since Ferguson’s exit, United have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the Champions League.
The Red Devils have also yet to add to their tally of league titles, with just five major trophies won since 2013.
They could add another against Tottenham in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, though.
Bale continued to be linked with United during his time with Real Madrid but instead returned to Spurs in 2020.
His season-long loan spell was later followed by a move to MLS side LAFC in 2022 after his final Champions League triumph.
Having appeared for Wales at their first World Cup in 64 years, he retired from professional football in January 2023 aged 33.
