Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale still wanted by Manchester United Reuters

Manchester United have stepped up their interest in Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo and will try their best to pry the duo out of Santiago Bernabeu in the upcoming transfer windows. The Red Devils had an underwhelming window this summer, where they failed to bring in a world class player to step into the shoes of Angel di Maria and were criticised for their decision to pay £36m ($55m) in signing Anthony Martial.

The Mirror reports that the club will tap Bale over the next 12 months and try to prise him out of Spain next summer. A source reportedly confirmed that the David de Gea transfer saga which failed to unfold this summer will have no bearing in a potential transfer for Bale back to the Premier League, giving United some confidence starting this season.

The Red Devils are also considering a move to bring Ronaldo to Old Trafford, where he will have the opportunity to reunite with his fans after leaving the club in 2009. However, the report claimed that Bale will be their biggest priority for the summer and any advances on Ronaldo may depend on how the transfer saga for the Welshman pans out.

United had reportedly tried to sign Bale this summer by offering De Gea to sweeten the deal, but Real had blocked the deal for the Welshman in a bid to see him develop under new manager Rafa Benitez. The former Tottenham forward scored the winner for Wales against Cyprus in the qualifiers for the European Championships to confirm their position in the group stages of the tournament scheduled to be held in France next year.

Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal recently confirmed that he will is on the look-out for a world class talent in the transfer window to follow and will only sign players who will effectively improve the squad. United are currently fifth on the table, level with Arsenal and Liverpool on points, but ahead on goal difference.