Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has backed Louis van Gaal to secure the signing of Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, but reckons that Cristiano Ronaldo will not return to Old Trafford.

United were originally keen on Bale during his time at Tottenham Hotspur, but ultimately missed out on the Welsh forward when he moved to Real Madrid [Sky Sports].

They were again linked to the player during the summer [Daily Mail via Independent], but Bale—who won the Champions League with Los Merengues in 2014—ended up staying at the Bernabeu.

In recent weeks, United have once again been linked with the ex-Southampton player, who has managed only eight La Liga appearances this season—mainly due to injuries—scoring three goals and contributing four assists.

Speaking to 888poker, as reported by the Daily Star, Ince has backed Bale to return to England.

“I can see Gareth Bale [returning to England] because I know there’s a few issues at Real Madrid,” he began.

“Bale’s first year at Real Madrid was absolutely outstanding, but there’s a lot of jealousy at the club because of the way he played in that first year.

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“I can see him coming back. From a personal point of view he will want to stay out there because he doesn’t want to come back a failure after one-and-a-half seasons,” he concluded. “As a player when you get an inkling the club wants to sell you and you don’t feel welcome then you want to leave and ultimately Manchester United have the money.”

However, while Ince has tipped the Red Devils to succeed in their chase for Bale, he reckons van Gaal will end up disappointed if he wants to bring Ronaldo to Old Trafford.

“I can’t see Ronaldo coming back,” he continued. “It would be great for Manchester United fans, but once you’ve played and won everything you possibly can with a club, I don’t know why you would want to put yourself in that situation again.

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“If he did come back to the Premier League, he would only ever join Manchester United, but I can’t see that happening.”

Ronaldo has also been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain [Le Parisien], and if Ince is right, the French giants may be primed to add the Portuguese superstar to their glittering array of talents.