Tuesday 8 August 2017 13:22, UK
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is ready to "fight" for Gareth Bale's signature if Real Madrid leave the attacker out of the UEFA Super Cup.
Bale is part of the 24-man squad in Macedonia for the match between the Champions League and Europa League winners, but speculation continues over the Wales international's future.
There have been suggestions in Spain that Madrid are willing to part company with the 28-year-old as they move for Monaco's Kylian Mbappe, giving hope to long-standing admirers United.
Mourinho recently said it would be impossible to bring in Bale, but is now ready to pounce on any softening stance on Real's part.
"If he's playing tomorrow, well, no I wouldn't think of that possibility of signing on (Bale)," the United boss said in Macedonia ahead of facing his former club.
"If he is playing tomorrow, it is because he is in the coach's plans and in the club's plans and because he also has that ambition to continue in Real Madrid.
"So I haven't even thought of the possibility of signing him on our team.
"If he's not in the club's plans, if what you are writing right now is true - I am not sure whether it is or not - that the arrival of another player (would) perhaps (mean) Gareth would be on his way out.
"If he is on his way out of Real Madrid, well, I'll try to be waiting for him on the other side and try to fight with other coaches that would also like to have him on his team.
"But I think that if he plays tomorrow, it is probably the best confirmation that they'll keep counting on him during the season."
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs says he is confident his compatriot will move to Old Trafford at some stage in the future.
"I don't think it will happen in this transfer window but you can see it happening one day," Giggs said.
"If Bale ever comes back to England there are very few clubs who would be able to afford him or he would want to play for. After Real Madrid only a couple of clubs can really compete for prestige or history.
"That's why the speculation happens every year but I maintain what I've always said, I think he's happy at Madrid. It's not impossible but he's playing at one of the biggest clubs in the world and if he's enjoying himself and playing regularly I don't see it happening."
