Former Manchester United winger Mickey Thomas has advised his countryman Gareth Bale to move back to the Premier League. The Real Madrid forward, who has been a key part of Los Blancos’ three-consecutive Champions League triumphs, but the Welshman found himself out of Zinedine Zidane’s plans at frequent points during the French manager’s last season in charge at the Bernabeu. This led Bale to publicly state that he would be considering is options in the wake of May’s 3-1 European Cup final defeat of Liverpool, and with United known to be long-term admirers of the player, the club would likely be interested if the former Spurs forward’s desire to leave Spain turned out to be true.
“If he wants a real challenge and is serious about playing regularly, then I would tell him to come back and play in the Premier League,” said Thomas in an interview with MUTV, with quotes carried by the Mirror. “He’s got enough money. Surely now it’s not how much he can earn. His CV would be enriched and complete with a Premier League winner’s medal. I’d argue that is worth more than all the money he gets.
“OK, I know he has won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid, but he hasn’t won the Premier League. I wouldn’t want to finish a career like his without a Premier League winner’s medal. Unfortunately, he’s had Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar blocking his path to becoming the best player in the world.
“If he came to England and started doing the business, winning trophies in this country, then it will have been the perfect career. He could go to Germany and play for Bayern Munich, but it’s time to prove himself in the Premier League.
The waters have been further muddied after Zidane left Real shortly after this season’s conclusion, with new manager Julien Lopetegui’s intentions for Bale currently unknown.
