The turmoil that has enveloped Manchester United this season and undermined Louis van Gaal’s reign at Old Trafford has seemingly done significant damage to the club’s hopes of persuading Gareth Bale to return to the Barclays Premier League this summer.

The 26-year-old was receptive to a move when United offered Real Madrid £100 million for his services in August. That was turned down by Florentino Pérez, the Real president, but the Spanish club believe that United will return with an improved bid at the end of the season, prepared to pay whatever it takes to complete the deal.

Bale, however, is believed to be significantly less tempted by United than he was in August. The Wales winger’s concerns centre not only on the uncertainty over