Manchester United’s policy of signing established superstars have seen them making an over-ambitious effort to sign Barcelona superstar Neymar last summer. The Brazilian midfield maestro had been caught up in a contract wrangle with the Catalan club, and United saw this as an opportunity to turn the heads of Barcelona officials with a mammoth €190m bid.

Both Neymar and his father, had confirmed in separate interviews that United indeed made an attempt to sign the Brazilian forward last summer. While the bid was rejected then, several media outlets claim that United still retain hope of signing him in the future.

It seems, however, such hopes are fast fading away, as Neymar is ever closer to sign a new contract with the Catalan giants.

According to Catalan newspaper Sport, United probably understand that they hold a very little chance, if at all, in luring Neymar away from Camp Nou. They have given up on the chase, and rightly so.

All good, so far. But has there ever been a scenario, where the Catalan press being presented an opportunity to bottom-pinch Real Madrid, and they missed out No.

The article that primarily focussed on Neymar, and United’s likely failure to sign him, ends up with a note that the Red Devils have turned their attention towards Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, albeit they attribute the source to British press.

Sport claims that “Bale’s future at Real Madrid is not clear” (well, it’s quite clear to every one of us except them & transfer-hungry tabloids) as a result, “Manchester United have re-activated their interest” in the Welsh winger.

United apparently want Bale to lead their new project, likely to be managed by Jose Mourinho. Sport probably have forgotten that a certain French guy called Zinedine Zidane also reportedly wants Bale to spearhead Madrid’s attack for years to come. .

Well, scrap that. Sport believe that signing Bale seems much more attainable than signing Neymar. All United need to do is send a fax to Madrid with a €100m offer, and Bale will be theirs. Hallelujah.