Gareth Bale is happy in Spain and a transfer to Manchester United remains unlikely... but he would not be the first big name Real Madrid have pushed out

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Real Madrid have a way of getting rid of players they don't want. Just as you get the tap on the shoulder when they want you, you also get the tap on the shoulder when they don't.

Gareth Bale has not had the tap on the shoulder yet and those closest to the player repeated to Sportsmail on Tuesday morning that they don't believe it is something that is going to happen any time soon.

They say Madrid are happy with Bale. The president broke the transfer record to sign him – even though he had to keep it from Cristiano Ronaldo so as not to upset him – and he has no plans to let him leave.

Gareth Bale takes a shot in training as Real Madrid prepare for the Super Cup final in Skopje

Bale will be hoping to start against Manchester United, who are among his long-time admirers

In his first season Bale played a big part in three trophy successes. In his third season he was man of the match in another Champions League final victory. 

And even though last season was wrecked by injury, he still started it as the hero of Wales' European Championship campaign in France and ended it as the focus of all the attention, first in Cardiff in the build-up to another Champions League final, and then this summer in the US. On and off the pitch he's been worth the money they paid for him.

The noises emanating from Madrid are for now coming more from supporters and certain sections of the Madrid media than from the club. 

He refuses to talk with one of the major titles that cover the club and their coverage of him is not favourable. In contrast, he gave a full interview to Marca earlier this summer and for the most part they have tended not to fan the flames of impatience sparked by fans who have seen the Kylian Mbappe internet compilations and want him in a white shirt this summer.

United boss Jose Mourinho admitted his interest in Bale ahead of Tuesday's clash in Macedonia

Some Real supporters and sections of the local media have been calling for Kylian Mbappe

Bale's failure to score Stateside did not help things and, never one to miss the chance to wind up the opposition before a big game, Jose Mourinho did his part in Skopje on Monday.

He had heard the rumours that Bale might not be in the side and that the club would listen to offers if it meant they could recoup the £86million they paid for him and go out and get 18-year-old Mbappe.

The Bale camp insists, however, that whether he is in the starting XI tonight or not, he is staying. Not for nothing did he sign a new contract last season until 2022.

If Madrid were to try to push Bale out he would not be the first player they had done it to. 

Mesut Ozil, Wesley Sneijder, Angel di Maria and Arjen Robben were all good players who had done nothing wrong at Madrid – Di Maria had just been man of the match in the Champions League final. But with each of those players, one day Real Madrid came to the conclusion they were worth more sold than on the payroll.

Bale is preparing for a big season with Real after his last campaign was wrecked by injury

Mesut Ozil is one of a number of big-name players to have been pushed out by Real Madrid

Robben and Sneijder were sent to Bayern Munich and Inter Milan to help pay for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009; Ozil helped pay for Bale in 2013, and Di Maria paid for James Rodriguez in 2014.

Were Bale to go this summer, Mbappe would be in his seat in the dressing room before it was cold. But he at least does not believe it is happening. United also realise that it's unlikely.

Mourinho made various attempts to persuade Bale earlier this summer but the player did not flirt back. Had United been given the right signs they would have made him their No 1 target and the £75m signing of Romelu Lukaku might not have happened.

Bale is happy in Spain. One source who knows him well told me this week that not only is he not coming back this summer but that he may never play again in England, suggesting he has every intention of honouring a contract that would take him to age 33 if he sees it through.

Bale plays a pass as Champions League holders Real prepare to face Manchester United

Again, it is worth emphasising that it is not always up to the player. Madrid are one of the hardest clubs in football to survive at. It's not enough to do well. You have to do better than every other player in the world who could conceivably join the club and play in your position.

This will be a decisive year for the 28-year-old. If he can get fit and stay fit then there is no reason why he will not be a big part of the club's future. 

Karim Benzema and Isco are both negotiating new contracts and there are no guarantees that both will sign. Ronaldo is still seething over his tax problems and would move back to England if it were feasible. He told a Madrid judge as much in his private hearing last week.

So just as Bale could move, so could three or four other players. The only sure thing at Madrid is, sooner or later, there will be movement.