That’s the opinion of journalist and the presenter of Real Madrid TV Phil Kitromilides.

Mourinho claimed if Bale doesn’t start tonight in the UEFA Super Cup it means the Welshman could be available in the transfer market.

Isco has emerged as a serious threat to the winger at the Bernabeu with Kylian Mbappe also potentially pushing the ex-Tottenham man down the pecking order if he joins Real.

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“It's genius,” Kitromilides told talkSPORT when asked about Mourinho's comments.

“You have to take your hat off to Mourinho, who is already a master of mind games and he's done it again yesterday.

“It's brilliant even by his standards. I don't think there is any chance Bale will leave this summer so it's just mind games from Mourinho yet again.”

Mourinho commented on Bale in yesterday’s pre-match press conference when pushed on transfer rumours linking him with a swoop.

“If he is in the plans of the coach and the club and it is in his own plans and ambitions to stay there, then I won't even think about it,” he explained.

“If he is not in the club's plans and it is true that a player like Bale is at the departure gate, I will try to be there waiting for him at the other side.”

United have added Victor Lindelof, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic to their squad so far this summer as they prepare for a return to the Champions League.

The Red Devils take on Real at 7.45pm in Skopje, Macedonia.