Stats prove Bale an expensive gamble Man Utd don't need to take
'Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order'. Four months after Gareth Bale's proposed move to China fell through, he, and the Wales team, were pictured celebrating behind a flag with the slogan after the Red Dragons secured their Euro 2020 spot. As you can imagine, the shots of Bale went down like a lead balloon back in the Spanish capital. Real Madrid had attempted to get the attacker off the books earlier that year only to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute.
For Bale, it meant another year under a manager who didn't want him at the club. Despite playing his part delivering success in Spain, the 31-year-old has never won over the Real Madrid faithful and his escapades in November will have seen his stock fall further in Spain. This year, though, may finally be Bale's last in Madrid, much to the delight of Real Madrid supporters.
When he arrived in 2013 for a then-world record fee of £86m, expectations were high and, to an extent, Bale has lived up to the billing, but his recent years in Spain have been a riddled with injury issues and a lack of playing time under Zidane has seen his stock plummet. A return to England, though, is very much on the cards at the time of writing. Bale has been heavily linked with a Premier League switch across numerous transfer windows, with continuous denials doing little to quell speculation over a move to one of the divisions Big Six.
Manchester United are believed to be one of those in the hunt for Bale as an alternative to Jadon Sancho. The England international was a primary target for United coming into the window, but an inability to negotiate Borussia Dortmund's asking price down has seen them turn their attention elsewhere. Donny van de Beek's capture has eased the demand for new arrivals, yet United need strengthening before next month's deadline.
As such, Bale has emerged as a possible target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side as they look to bring in a right winger before the transfer window slams shut. With Real Madrid looking to move on a player who has less than 12 months to run on his contract, United have targetted the Wales international as a cut price reserve should they fail to land top target Sancho.
Yet even so, United would be wise to steer clear of Bale, and avoid taking a punt on the attacker. Yes, a statement signing of Bale's ilk would boost shirt sales and see them land a world class star in the process, yet they are better off waiting on Sancho or, at the very least, allowing Mason Greenwood the opportunity to grow into the role.
Greenwood broke into the first team with aplomb last season, ending the Premier League campaign with 10 goals, that as many as Bale has managed in the last two league campaigns combined, and one assist to his name from 1313 minutes of action as the teenager had a direct hand in a goal every 119.4 minutes. By comparison, Sancho, admittedly as a first team regular, had a direct hand in a league goal every 69.5 minutes in the Bundesliga in 2019/20, whereas Bale provided a goal or assist every 273 minutes in LaLiga last term as he scored two and registered two assists for a Real Madrid side that ended Barcelona's dominance in Spain's top tier.
Factor in the ongoing injury concerns that have plagued Bale in recent seasons and it's an expensive gamble that United can't afford to take as they look to strengthen. If Bale's arrival were to stunt the growth of Greenwood, who has taken to his role on the right flank with ease, then it would be counter-productive to see the England international's development blocked when Greenwood has done more than enough to warrant the chance to nail down a regular starting spot.
Granted, competition is required and the arrival of Bale would undoubtedly push Greenwood on, but then there is financial impact his possible signing would have on the side. It's been reported that Bale earns £350,000 a week after tax in Spain and he'd be looking to earn similar wages should he leave Real Madrid. Even if he were to spend just one year in Manchester, that would still set the team back around £18.2m, money that could be put towards pursuing Sancho.
Were they to be priced out of a move for Sancho as a result of Bale's arrival, be it this year or next, then it would be a blow to United in their aim to improve in the final third. Sancho's stats last season speak volumes with the English star chipping in with 17 goals and 16 assists for Borussia Dortmund, which is a major reason why the German side rate, and value, the 20-year-old so highly.
Sancho returned averages of 2.7 key passes and three successful dribbles per 90 in the Bundesliga last season, a huge rise on Bale (1 and 1.5, respectively), and while the latter's attacking averages were similar to Greenwood's, with a more prominent role in the side in the coming season, the United youngster would benefit massively from an increase in regular game time, something that may be impacted if they pursue their rumoured interest in Bale.
Of course, United wouldn't have a clear shot at Bale with former side Tottenham also believed to be eyeing up a move for the Welshman. After Sunday's disappointing showing in their 1-0 loss to Everton, Spurs could benefit from an injection of quality in the final third and Bale would be welcomed with open arms back in north London.
And while it would result in United allowing a possible top-four rival the opportunity to strenghten, Solskjaer's side would be wise to step aside and allow other potential suitors the chance to land Bale, if he is, indeed, open to a move to the Premier League this summer. The risk comes with possibly missing out on Sancho next year when interest in his services will undoubtedly intensify, but with the money saved from opting against a move for Bale, coupled with the increase in game time for Greenwood, it would benefit United to make do with what they have for now and renew their interest in Sancho next year.
