It must be that time of year again.

Gareth Bale has been linked with a move to Manchester United pretty much ever since he joined Real Madrid back in 2013, with suggestions that he'll one day return to the Premier League never too far away.

Judging by Jose Mourinho's latest comments on the Welshman, it seems that day may be coming.

Talking ahead of the UEFA Super Cup clash between the two sides, the United boss made it very clear that he would jump all over any opportunity to bring Bale to Old Trafford.

"If he is not in the club's plans," said Mourinho, "that with the arrival of another player would mean he was on his way out, I will try to be waiting for him on the other side and fight with other coaches that would want him on their team."

Suits you, Gareth (
Image:
Getty Images)

Obviously Real may not be ready to sell the former Spurs winger just yet - but Man United's interest has now been confirmed.

So, if the move was to happen, just how will it all play out?

Well we've got some theories.

1. At his presentation, some old Bale family photos of him in a United shirt will suddenly, *magically* resurface

Check out the ears (
Image:
Helios de la Rubia)

Just as they did when he signed for Real Madrid, funnily enough.

Supported United all his life though, honest.

2. And Ryan Giggs will be distracted from his new role of constantly trying (and failing) to get appointed as someone's manager to unveil him

Cymru am byth (
Image:
John Peters)

"You free tomorrow for the Bale thing Ryan? Yep, thought so."

3. After switching from No. 9 to No. 11 following the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Anthony Martial will have to change his shirt number... again

Surely Bale won't settle for anything else? (
Image:
John Peters)

It's not you, Anthony. It's them.

4. Even Romelu Lukaku will feel envious on leg day

What the? (
Image:
REUTERS)

That's just ridiculous.

5. After what seems like years of claims that they want to sell Bale at every turn, Real Madrid fans will suddenly realise that they actually quite miss him

Oops (
Image:
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno)

"We've made a terrible mistake."

6. Manchester lads will suddenly start growing long hair again

Lustrous (
Image:
AMA/Getty)

The Printworks on a Saturday night will never have seen anything like it.

7. And Bale will probably win the Champions League with United, thereby taking his personal tally to four and the club's tally to... four

They're the best of friends now (
Image:
Getty)

Bale: 2014, 2016, 2017

United: 1968, 1999, 2008

Both: 2018?

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