Manchester United 'hopeful of signing Gareth Bale if he is on the Real Madrid bench in the Champions League final'

• Manchester United may move for Real Madrid's Gareth Bale if he is benched
• Bale could start the Champions League final in Cardiff among the substitutes 
• Reports in Spain say Welsh international Bale would feel 'betrayed' by this

Manchester United will be encouraged to make a summer move for Gareth Bale if he begins the Champions League final on the bench, according to reports in Spain.

Real Madrid forward Bale has been a long-term target for United, who wanted to sign him before his world-record move from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013 and have been linked with him since.

Bale has been a star for Real since, but has suffered injury problems this season with Isco putting in brilliant displays as his replacement.