Gareth Bale 'selfish' as Manchester United speculation adds to rising pressure at Real Madrid

Former Tottenham star Gareth Bale has been once again made the scapegoat for Real Madrid's defeat to Valencia on Sunday 4 January.

Carlo Ancelotti's side started the new year with a 2-1 loss at the Mestalla stadium to put an end to a winning streak of 22 games in all competitions.

But Spanish pundits believe the story could have been very different if Bale had seized his goal-scoring chances and was not so "selfish" with his teammates.

The Wales international ruined a one-on-one opportunity with Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves to make the score 2-0 in the second half of the game when his teammate Karim Benzema was free to strike from almost the penalty spot.

Ancelotti decided to take Bale off in the 71st minute, replacing him with Jese, while Spanish newspaper AS have showed a video where Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema rebuked the Welshman for his individualism during the game.

Meanwhile, Marca called him selfish and added: "Bale exasperated his teammates and Valencia took advantage of his selfishness. The day when Real Madrid had to play as a collective, Bale decided to be individualist and try to solve the game by his own."

Catalan-based newspaper Mundo Deportivo also criticised the former Tottenham hero, saying: "His individualism is nothing new. Since returning from an injury the Welshman has been more focus in scoring than assisting his teammates."

Sport added: "Bale's individualism is recurrent but it was overshadowed until now because of Real Madrid's good run."

The heavy scrutiny comes at a time when reports claim Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has earmarked him as the marquee signing for the summer.

Bale has since claimed he is happy to stay at Real Madrid and is considering signing a new deal at the Santiago Bernabeu.

But the former Tottenham Hotspur star has failed to get all his teammates, reporters and even his own fans on his side since his £86m move from north London in summer 2013.

A recent poll by AS revealed the club's supporters are in favour of selling him to Old Trafford for the right fee.