Gareth Bale's reaction to Man Utd training ground spoke volumes on unlikely visit

Gareth Bale was constantly linked with a move to Manchester United, but a transfer was never finalised. Throughout his career, the former Wales captain was targeted by the club, and he also spent time at United's training ground.

After becoming a Premier League star at Tottenham Hotspur, he announced himself as one of football's elite attacking talents at Real Madrid. During his nine years with Los Blancos, Bale briefly returned to English football in 2020.

However, United were not his chosen destination. The forward rejoined Spurs on loan for the 2020/21 season, scoring 16 in 34 appearances. He later signed Los Angeles FC, where he ended his playing days, hanging up his boots in 2023.

Intriguingly, Bale had been touted with a move to the Red Devils shortly before the Wales squad were granted permission to use the club's Carrington training ground in March 2019. The Real Madrid star and his international teammates were gearing up for a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago, followed by a Euro 2020 qualifier with Slovakia.

The Welsh team had set up base in Manchester ahead of their opening fixture at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground. At that point, speculation was rife regarding the forward's potential switch to United, and he appeared thoroughly comfortable at the club's training ground.

The Mirror reported that Bale and his teammates were staying at Hotel Football, owned by then-Wales manager Ryan Giggs alongside Gary Neville. Giggs commented at the time: "I'm really thankful to United for letting me use the facilities.

"We have a facility in north Wales, which isn't quite ready yet so I jumped at the chance, knowing both the facilities would be good and the excitement it would generate within the squad because training at the ATC is something you don't get to see every day."

It was ultimately never meant to be for United and Bale, who announced his retirement aged 33, shortly after the 2022 World Cup. Bale, who won five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and holds the record as Wales' most-capped player and top goalscorer, shared his decision on social media.

"After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football," Bale stated. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love."

He continued: "My decision to retire from international football has been by far the hardest of my career.

"How do I describe what being a part of this country and team means to me? How do I articulate the impact it has had on my life? How do I put into words the way I felt every single time I put on that Welsh shirt? My answer is that I couldn't possibly do any of those things justice simply with words.

"But I know that every person involved in Welsh football feels the magic and is impacted in such a powerful and unique way, so I know you feel what I feel without using any words at all."