Manchester United 'reject chance to sign Gareth Bale'

Manchester United have reportedly turned down the chance to sign Real Madrid attacker Gareth Bale.

Bale was left out of the Madrid squad for Saturday's pre-season clash with Bayern Munich in Houston.

After the International Champions Cup fixture, Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane revealed that the Wales international was on the verge of leaving the Spanish giants.

United have long been linked with a move for the 30-year-old, who has scored over 100 times for Madrid since joining the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2013.

According to the Evening Standard, though, the Red Devils have signalled that they are not interested in signing the Welshman on either a loan or permanent deal ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

The report adds that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's desire to reduce the age of the squad at Old Trafford is a key reason why the club have decided against a move.

Lille's Nicolas Pepe is being strongly linked with a move to United, though, while the club are also said to be on the verge of completing a deal for Leicester City's Harry Maguire.