Manchester United would be Champions League contenders if they signed Gareth Bale, says Ryan Giggs as he claims they are 'a little bit short'
- Manchester United make their return to the Champions League on Tuesday
- Jose Mourinho's men host Swiss outfit Basle at Old Trafford in the group stages
- Ryan Giggs feels his former side are a 'little bit short' to go the whole way
- Gareth Bale was linked with a move to United but ultimately stayed put
Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs believes the signing of Real Madrid star Gareth Bale would turn his former side into legitimate Champions League contenders.
The Red Devils make their return to Europe's premier competition on Tuesday, after a year out, as they host Basle at Old Trafford in the first round of the group stage.
But Giggs feels the Premier League leaders don't quite have what it takes to go all the way without another world-class player such as Bale.
Ryan Giggs says Manchester United are 'a little bit short' to win the Champions League
The Welshman believes Real Madrid star Gareth Bale would make them serious contenders
The Welshman told Sky Sports: ‘You look at the current Manchester United team and you wonder if they can they win the Champions League. Have they got the players to win it?
‘They’re probably a little bit short at the moment. You’ve got Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, if he fulfils his potential, Marcus Rashford, David de Gea, a world-class player, and then if you add somebody like Gareth Bale to the mix, that’s when you talk about United having Champions League expectations.
‘Obviously, Mourinho has won the trophy before so we’re going to be there or thereabouts, but whether we’ve got the players to go the whole way, I don’t know.’
Jose Mourinho watches on as he puts his men through their paces ahead of the visit of Basle
Giggs says the Premier League leaders are still one step behind Europe's elite
Bale, who has won the competition in three of his four seasons at the Bernabeu, was linked with a move to United during the summer but ultimately stayed put, telling Sportsmail that he did so with trophies in mind.
And Giggs, who also won the Champions League on two occasions, says the forward's current team are still the team to beat.
He added: ‘Apart from Real Madrid, obviously you’ve got PSG, who have made big intentions this year, but it could be quite open otherwise with Barcelona losing Neymar and not making the best start.
‘You have to look at Real Madrid, what they’ve done after the last two years and the players they’ve got, as the team to beat.’
Bale has won Europe's premier competition in three of his four seasons at Real Madrid
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