That’s the view of Red Devils legend Ryan Giggs.
United return to the prestigious competition tonight, with Jose Mourinho’s men hosting Basel at Old Trafford in the Champions League group stages.
The Red Devils spent big in the summer, bringing Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof in, while superstar striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic also returned to Old Trafford.
However, Giggs reckons United are just short of winning the Champions League with their current squad, adding a player of Bale’s quality could be the difference.
“You look at the current Manchester United team and you wonder if they can they win the Champions League? Have they got the players to win it?” Giggs told Sky Sports.
“They're probably a little bit short at the moment.
“You've got Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, if he fulfils his potential, Marcus Rashford, David de Gea, a world-class player, and then if you add somebody like Gareth Bale to the mix, that's when you talk about United having Champions League expectations.
“Obviously, Mourinho has won the trophy before so we're going to be there or thereabouts, but whether we've got the players to go the whole way, I don't know.
“Apart from Real Madrid, obviously you've got PSG, who have made big intentions this year, but it could be quite open otherwise with Barcelona losing Neymar and not making the best start.
“You have to look at Real Madrid, what they've done after the last two years and the players they've got, as the team to beat.”
