Despite denials from Real and from the Bale camp both the club and player are up for the possibility of a homecoming for the 25-year-old who now finds himself under fire for squandering a number of clear-cut chances during his club's Champions League semi-final exit.
With Barcelona already there after their stunning destruction of Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich, the expectation on Galacticos like Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez was huge to join their bitter rivals in the final.
Earlier in the season influential Spanish newspapers connected to Real didn't deem some of Bale's lack-lustre performances worthy of a merit mark while some angry supporters vandalised his car.
Bale can now expect another torrent of abuse as he is singled out as the biggest villain of the club's Champions League demise.
That will be music to United's ears whose overtures to lure Bale back to England have been gaining pace during the season.
United know they will have to once again smash the British transfer record – one they set themselves last summer with the £59.7m capture of Angel Di Maria, also from Real Madrid – if they are to be successful.
Newly-crowned champions Chelsea and Manchester City are also monitoring the Bale situation but United are in pole position.
Earlier in the season influential Spanish newspapers connected to Real didn't deem some of Bale's lack-lustre performances worthy of a merit mark while some angry supporters vandalised his car.
Bale can now expect another torrent of abuse as he is singled out as the biggest villain of the club's Champions League demise.
That will be music to United's ears whose overtures to lure Bale back to England have been gaining pace during the season.
United know they will have to once again smash the British transfer record – one they set themselves last summer with the £59.7m capture of Angel Di Maria, also from Real Madrid – if they are to be successful.
Newly-crowned champions Chelsea and Manchester City are also monitoring the Bale situation but United are in pole position.
How Bale could look in a United shirt
Jonathan Barnett, Bale's agent, insists that his client is suffering because team-mates are ignoring his runs.
That is merely damage limitation as all parties prepare for an inevitable parting in the next few months.
United's task in an eventual £80m transfer is likely to be made easier with the probability that Carlo Ancelotti will lose his job.
A ruthless Bernabeu board will not take kindly to the club being removed from the Champions League in a season in which Barcelona are also likely to win La Liga.
Ancelotti is a big Bale supporter, as is his English assistant Paul Clement who would almost certainly leave with the Italian.
GETTY
Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett has clashed with Carlo Ancelotti
PA
Bale's Bernabeu dream is turning into a nightmare
That is merely damage limitation as all parties prepare for an inevitable parting in the next few months.
United's task in an eventual £80m transfer is likely to be made easier with the probability that Carlo Ancelotti will lose his job.
A ruthless Bernabeu board will not take kindly to the club being removed from the Champions League in a season in which Barcelona are also likely to win La Liga.
Ancelotti is a big Bale supporter, as is his English assistant Paul Clement who would almost certainly leave with the Italian.
That would isolate the quietly spoken Bale who has struggled to learn Spanish and has found it difficult to embrace the Madrid way of life.
He and his young family would love a return to England. That wish is growing closer to being realised.
Real Madrid have proved in the past that they can be ruthless when it comes to buying and selling – reputations count for nothing.
Di Maria was ditched once James Rodriguez, one of the stars of last summer's World Cup, was brought in along with Germany's Toni Kroos.
Other former Premier League stars like David Beckham, Steve McManaman and Claude Makelele have found that life at the Bernabeu doesn't go on forever.
Bale is now vulnerable and president Florentino Perez's words that the player won't be sold are beginning to sound hollow.
He and his young family would love a return to England. That wish is growing closer to being realised.
Real Madrid have proved in the past that they can be ruthless when it comes to buying and selling – reputations count for nothing.
Di Maria was ditched once James Rodriguez, one of the stars of last summer's World Cup, was brought in along with Germany's Toni Kroos.
Other former Premier League stars like David Beckham, Steve McManaman and Claude Makelele have found that life at the Bernabeu doesn't go on forever.
Bale is now vulnerable and president Florentino Perez's words that the player won't be sold are beginning to sound hollow.
Bale's agent Jonathan Barnett has clashed with Carlo Ancelotti
United also know that Real Madrid are desperate to land Old Trafford's outstanding keeper David de Gea.
De Gea has so far knocked back a new contract offer worth around £200,000 a week in the knowledge that he is wanted at the Bernabeu as the successor to Iker Casillas.
With still 12 months of his current contract to run United remain in charge of his destiny.
Although loathe to part with the Spaniard if it means losing De Gea in order to bring in Bale then it's something they would do.
What is certain is Bale's floundering display in the club's biggest game of the season against Juventus in front of the demanding Real fans has effectively called time on his two-year stay in the Spanish capital.
But United are waiting with open arms, especially with a new £750m, 10 year kit deal with Adidas burning a hole in their pocket.
Adidas would love to launch the new agreement which comes into force in August with a stellar signing – and they don't come much bigger than Gareth Bale.
De Gea has so far knocked back a new contract offer worth around £200,000 a week in the knowledge that he is wanted at the Bernabeu as the successor to Iker Casillas.
With still 12 months of his current contract to run United remain in charge of his destiny.
Although loathe to part with the Spaniard if it means losing De Gea in order to bring in Bale then it's something they would do.
What is certain is Bale's floundering display in the club's biggest game of the season against Juventus in front of the demanding Real fans has effectively called time on his two-year stay in the Spanish capital.
But United are waiting with open arms, especially with a new £750m, 10 year kit deal with Adidas burning a hole in their pocket.
Adidas would love to launch the new agreement which comes into force in August with a stellar signing – and they don't come much bigger than Gareth Bale.
Bale's Bernabeu dream is turning into a nightmare
