Mourinho ready to crank up interest in Bale if winger not in Madrid plans

Juventus v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League Final - The National Stadium of Wales, Cardiff - June 3, 2017 Real Madrid's Gareth Bale is challenged by Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci Reuters / Carl Recine Livepic

(Reuters) - Jose Mourinho said on Monday he would step up Manchester United's pursuit of Gareth Bale if the Real Madrid winger was left out of the starting line-up in Tuesday's European Super Cup between the Red Devils and the Champions League holders.

Bale was once the world's most expensive player when he joined Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur for 85.5 million pounds, although his status in Madrid has fallen due to an injury-ravaged last campaign that saw him miss the starting line-up for the Champions League final win over Juventus.