With reports suggesting that Manchester United are ready to offer Gareth Bale a way out of Real Madrid and back to the Premier League, here are three reasons to suggest that he should have chosen United in the first place.

1) Big fish

Although his move to Real Madrid involved the highest fee ever paid for a player in the history of football, there are approximately zero people who think he is a better player than the world’s top two, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

If Bale had opted for a move to Manchester United, he would have been amongst the likes of Nani, Tom Cleverley and Ashley Young, which would have ensured him as one of their big name players.

Instead, his performances will be compared to the magical players around him – Ronaldo, Isco, and Luka Modric.

2) Crowd

Although some people don’t like Manchester United’s fanbase, Real Madrid supporters are a different kettle of fish. Their patience is thin and their expectations are huge, which often leads to booing of their own players, even the most prolific.

Karim Benzema has been the scapegoat this season,  but with the money spent on Bale there is no reason that a few dodgy performances wouldn’t spark the same reaction towards the Wales international.

3) Premier League

Bale knew the English league. He knew the pace of the game, he knew how to better defenders and he was comfortable with how Spurs played the game.

The pace of the game in La Liga is different, the tactics vary and he will need time to settle to that.