Di Maria will regret United failure - Ferdinand

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Paris Saint-Germain-bound winger Angel di Maria will regret his failure at Old Trafford.

Di Maria is on the brink of joining PSG after he was pictured in Doha ahead of his reported medical in the Qatari capital on Monday.

The Argentina international's imminent switch to the French champions comes just 12 months on from his record £59.7million move to Manchester, where he failed to settle despite enjoying a bright start to life at Old Trafford.

Ferdinand, who won six Premier League titles with United, said Di Maria's reputation has been tarnished forever.

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"He will now always have on his CV that he was a failure at Man United," Ferdinand told ESPN FC at a BT Sport media event.

"As a professional, I wouldn't want something like that on my record. If I could rectify it by staying and trying to prove myself, I would have done that.

"As a fan, I would have liked for him to stay there and prove he can perform for Man United. That is what we all wanted to see when the club paid so much for him last summer, but that isn't happening, it seems.

"I can understand why some fans are disappointed that he is leaving so soon, but this is a business. United may have looked at it this summer and [manager Louis] van Gaal has probably come to the conclusion that he doesn't fit into his system for whatever reason. At that point, you have to cash in."

Manchester United set for Gareth Bale transfer

Manchester United has rekindled their interest in Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, according to reports in Spain.

United are willing to offer close to $125 million euros (£87.5m) to secure the services of the winger; however Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez remains confident the Welshman is going nowhere.

Bale has often been seen as the scapegoat among the Bernabeu faithful, enduring a disappointing second season with the club.

But his manager has come to his aid, backing Bale to go on and have a big season with Madrid.

"Gareth is a huge player for us and I know that he's happy," Benitez told a press conference when asked about Bale's future.

"I'm not going to talk about offers. Everything is well and he's going to have a good season with us I'm sure."

Adding to reports from Spain, the Sun believes that the Red Devils have already seen two offers for Bale turned away this off-season.

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David de Gea has been strongly linked to Real Madrid (AAP)

Benitez shut down suggestions Real Madrid would package an offer of Bale for United's goalkeeper David de Gea, who has been heavily in the spotlight this transfer window.

"I've said in five previous press conferences that I don't want to talk about players who are in other teams."

"We have three very good keepers. I can talk about them, not other goalkeepers."

De Gea has one season left on his contract with United, and it's rumoured that Madrid would be happy to land him on a free once his deal expires.

Man United open the new Premier League season at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Real Madrid won't sell Gareth Bale to Man United - Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid legend and B team coach Zinedine Zidane has stressed that his club will not consider selling Gareth Bale to Manchester United or any other side this summer.

Bale, who joined Real Madrid for 86 million pounds from Tottenham in 2013, has been linked with a transfer to Old Trafford in recent weeks, with the Spanish club's apparent interest in a move for United keeper David De Gea sparking suggestions of a swap deal involving the two players.

United were reported to have made a late bid to sign Bale in the days before his move for a for record fee, but his desire to wear the white shirt of the Spanish capital city club ensured he moved away from the Premier League and relocated in Madrid.

After a thrilling end to his first season at Real Madrid saw Bale score the winning goal in the Copa Del Rey final and the crucial second goal in extra time of the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid last May, his perceived dip in form at Real Madrid this season has seen sections of the club's supporters turn against the 25-year-old.

There are a fair amount of Real Madrid fans who would prefer to see Gareth Bale benched, rather than leave either James or Isco out of the starting XI.

Real Madrid will not listen to any offers for Gareth Bale, says Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane.

Despite that, the Welshman retains the faith of the key decision makers with the La Liga club, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez making it clear that he will not consider selling Bale this summer and now Zidane has entered the debate, stating in no uncertain terms that United will fail in any attempt to sign the attacking star who has scored 13 La Liga goals this season.

"Real Madrid buy the best players in the world. They don't sell them," said Zidane, in quotes appearing in the Daily Mirror.

"Of course other clubs will be interested in him, he would improve any squad in the world, but the president has said he is not for sale and that is because he is not for sale. That will be the answer to Manchester United or any other club that asks the question.

"He was a big part of our success last season especially in the Champions League, and as we look to defend our title I am sure he will play a successful part again."

Bale is in the Real Madrid squad for their Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, as he looks to recover from a foot problem that has restricted him in recent weeks to take part in a fixture that could define the season for coach Carlo Ancelotti and his team.

I have nothing to prove - Bale

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale insists he pays no attention to his critics and stated he has nothing to prove.

The forward has been the main focus of scorn from the Spanish media and Real supporters following the capital club's difficult start to 2015, with the former Tottenham man's car damaged after the 2-1 Clasico defeat against Barcelona.

However, Bale gave a timely reminder of the talent that saw Real shell out a club-record fee for his services in September 2013 with a starring role in Wales' 3-0 victory against Israel in Saturday's Euro 2016 qualifying contest.

The 25-year-old set up Aaron Ramsey for the first, before scoring twice in the second half in Haifa.

"I don't need to answer the critics," Bale said.

"I know, and everyone around me knows, what I can do.

"There are ups and downs in football. You have to take it with a pinch of salt and all you can do is respond with your performances on the pitch, like that.

"I don't feel I need to prove anyone wrong or right, I just need to play my football."

Bale bags brace as Wales annihilates 10-man Isreal

Gareth Bale put his Real Madrid struggles to one side as he scored twice and set up the other as Wales annihilates 10-man Israel that sent them top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group B.

Bale has found himself the main scapegoat for Real's struggles in 2015, with Spanish media and supporters alike criticising the forward, who had his car damaged following the recent Clasico defeat to Barcelona.

However, Bale showed no ill-effects in Saturday's clash in Haifa as he set up Aaron Ramsey to head home the opener and give Wales a deserved first-half lead.

The former Tottenham man doubled the lead after the break with a superb free-kick, before Israel's hopes were ended when Eitan Tibi was sent off for fouling Bale - having also committed the foul that led to his first goal.

Bale capped a fine outing by sweeping home the third, as Wales inflicted Israel's first defeat of their qualifying campaign and maintained their own unbeaten record to boost their chances of reaching a first major tournament since 1958.

Bale signaled his intentions early and was at the heart of Wales' efforts going forward, including a wasted gilt-edged chance to take the lead in the 19th minute.

A superb low cross from the left found James Collins free at the back post, but the centre-back produced a finish befitting his position, getting the ball trapped under his foot with the goal gaping.

Israel almost punished that miss with their first meaningful effort, but Wayne Hennessey saved smartly from Eran Zahavi.

The hosts lost Group B's top scorer Omer Damari to injury and they were dealt a double blow on the stroke of half-time.

Hennessey's long punt down field was missed by home defenders and Bale nodded into the path of Ramsey, who timed his run into the area to perfection to loop his header over Ofir Marciano.

Joe Ledley hobbled off shortly after the restart, but the Welsh fans were celebrating again in the 50th minute.

Tibi chopped down Bale on the edge on the area and the Real man picked himself to curl a superb effort beyond a motionless Marciano.

A minute later Tibi's bodycheck on Bale resulted in a second booking as Israel began to unravel.

Despite a brief Israel rally, the visitors continued to make the better chances and substitute Sam Vokes - making his first international appearance in 12 months due to a serious knee injury - forced a smart stop from Marciano.

A third goal duly arrived in the 77th minute, dazzling footwork from Aaron Ramsey left the Israel defence bamboozled and he teed up Bale to drill home into the right-hand corner – giving the 25-year-old a much-needed confidence boost before returning to Madrid.

Fans want Bale out of Ancelotti starting XI

A majority of Real Madrid fans want to see Gareth Bale removed from Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI, a survey has revealed.

The study - conducted by Spanish website AS.com in the wake of Sunday's 2-1 Clasico defeat at Barcelona - found that 68.3 per cent of supporters would back his removal from the side.

A total of 8,532 fans participated in the poll, heaping yet more pressure on the Welsh winger, who has come under the spotlight following a series of disappointing performances.

Bale's car was attacked by angry fans following Real's return from Barcelona, with the reigning UEFA Champions League winners having slipped four points behind their rivals in La Liga.

Bale will head to Israel on international duty with Wales later this week.

Bale car attacked after Clasico loss

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale's car was punched and kicked by angry fans following their 2-1 Clasico defeat to arch rivals Barcelona on Sunday.

Images captured by Spanish television station Cuatro showed supporters repeatedly strike Bale's vehicle as he sped away from Valdebebas training ground following Real's return from Barcelona.

Team-mate Jese Rodriguez made the mistake of winding the window down as he left the complex before being greeted with abuse despite only playing 10 minutes at Camp Nou as a second-half substitute.

Defender Sergio Ramos confronted the fans upon his departure from Valdebebas, asking them "what's the matter?" and "do you think that's the right attitude?".

Real slipped four points behind league leaders Barca with defeat in Catalonia, which came as Luis Suarez scored a 56th-minute winner after Cristiano Ronaldo had cancelled out Jeremy Mathieu's opener.

The out-of-form Bale had a first-half goal chalked off due to Ronaldo being in an offside position and received heavy criticism from the Spanish press for his performance, with Marca stating that Real president Florentino Perez had paid "€100million for a player worth €20m".