Gareth Bale has cast fresh doubt over his future. Immediately after his man of the match performance in the Champions League final, the Welshman took aim at his manager. “I need to be playing week in, week out, and that’s not happened this season,” said Bale after the game. Gareth Bale to Manchester United is the perfect fit for both the Welsh superstar and the English giants.
Gareth Bale to Manchester United
Why Should he be Signed?
Manchester United have been sorely lacking a proven, world-class forward since the days of Robin Van Persie. Gareth Bale would add ready-made, Premier League-proven quality to United’s front line. Even though his last campaign in England came six seasons ago, we have already seen what havoc Bale can wreak in the Premier League.
In 2012-13, Bale scored 26 goals in 44 games in all competitions, with 21 of these coming in the league. He also added 15 assists in all competitions, nine of them in league play. This was all on route to claiming his second PFA Player of the Year award. In his time at Madrid, he has maintained this standard. Bale has cemented himself as a truly world class player, and one of the ten best in the world.
This past season, the Welshman scored 21 goals in 39 games in all competitions. In the league, he contributed 16 goals and four assists in 26 matches. For a wide forward who plays in a team with Cristiano Ronaldo, that is a phenomenal return. Overall in Madrid, Bale has scored 88 goals and assisted a further 59 in 189 appearances. In terms of goals and assists per game, Bale’s ratio stands at 0.77. That is simply world class. To put that into perspective, Eden Hazard’s goals and assists per game ratio for Chelsea stands at just 0.54. Hazard is regarded as perhaps the best player in England. With Bale’s end product dwarfing Hazard’s, it’s clear that he should be a must buy for the Red Devils.
Where Would he Play?
Bale would operate in the right-wing role in Jose Mourinho’s preferred 4-3-3 formation. Bale’s pace and direct style would provide a new dimension to United’s attack. He is a completely different player from Jesse Lingard, the club’s current option on the right wing. Bale’s superior pace and dribbling ability would offer United a deadly counter-attacking outlet. From the right-hand side, Bale would also be able to cut in onto his left foot and unleash devastating long shots. Furthermore, the Welshman would provide a direct free kick threat, something United have sorely lacked in recent years.
In certain games, Mourinho may play Bale centrally behind Romelu Lukaku. In his last season for Tottenham, Bale frequently occupied a second striker role for Andre Villas-Boas’s team. During ten games played in that role, Bale scored six goals and added five assists. Clearly then, the Welshman is an incredibly versatile attacker, capable of performing in different roles. This is an invaluable skill to have, and one Mourinho may look to utilise when the situation arises.
United’s Traditions
The legend of United’s number seven shirt is well known. But a lesser known tradition of the club is always acquiring each generation’s best British footballer.
For many years United have always had Britain’s marquee footballer. In the sixties, it was George Best and Bobby Charlton. In the eighties and nineties, it was Bryan Robson, Ryan Giggs, and David Beckham. When David Beckham left for Real Madrid, the club replaced him with Wayne Rooney, England’s ‘golden boy’ of the 2000s. Now Rooney has gone to Everton, it is time to replace him with Gareth Bale. Bale would continue one of the club’s longest standing traditions.
Also, with Anthony Martial rumoured to be leaving the club, the number 11 shirt could be vacant for the Welshman. This would allow Bale to follow in the footsteps of his fellow countryman and United legend, Ryan Giggs. Like Giggs, Bale would help the Red Devil’s play ‘the United way’. Many fans have grown tired of the lethargic, uninspiring football under Jose Mourinho. Bale’s presence in this United side would help restore direct, attacking football to Old Trafford and give the fans more excitement during the games.
Conclusion
Gareth Bale to Manchester United would be a perfect fit. The club are in need of a match winner, and Bale would add that and more. Ed Woodward’s admiration of Bale has been well known for some time now. Indeed, it was revealed by ex-United manager David Moyes that the Old Trafford outfit attempted to sign Bale in the summer he joined the club.
The transfer of Bale to United makes too much sense. The Red Devils would be getting a world-class player who would drastically improve their forward line, and Ed Woodward would be getting a new star signing and a player he has wanted for some time. The Welshman’s signature would help take the club back to the top of the English game. Simply put, Gareth Bale to Manchester United would be a match made in heaven. But with a long summer ahead of them, it will be a while until the winger’s future is resolved for good.
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