Manchester United can win title if they break the bank and sign Gareth Bale - Scott McGarvey

Former Manchester United striker Scott McGarvey has told IBTimes UK that Louis van Gaal must break the bank and sign Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.

The Welsh international has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, while the 10-times European champions are adamant the forward will not be sold in the summer transfer window.

The 20-times English champions allowed Radamel Falcao to return to AS Monaco after a disappointing season. Wayne Rooney was United's leading scorer with 14 goals, while Robin van Persie managed only 10 goals last season.

United are linked with Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane. However, McGarvey believes signing Bale will help them beat Chelsea for the league title.

Speaking exclusively to IBTimes UK, McGarvey said: "Harry Kane looks like a big talent. But he has done it for one season. I will be honest with you. I think Man United should break the bank and bring Gareth Bale back to the Premier League."

"He will get you 20 plus goals from the wide positions and through the middle. If you get Gareth Bale, there is every chance United can go and win the league title. I will tell you why. Most of the top teams in the country or Europe have one or two special player."

"Maybe Barcelona have two or three top players. Real Madrid have a couple of quality players. Chelsea won the league, they had one or two special players, who were making or scoring goals," he added.

"When Ronaldo was at Manchester United, Alan Hansen used to say, 'One thing about him was he never let off. If he scores one goal, he would aim for a second. If he scored the second, then he would aim for the third'," he claimed.

McGarvey, who was at United from 1980 to 1984, has stressed on the importance of having a leader at Old Trafford. He went on to hail John Terry's leadership qualities for Chelsea, which helped them win the league last season.

"One position you cannot get away with is to have leaders. Look at John Terry at Chelsea. Experience, an organiser, he talks. He has the best game for himself and he leads by example," the former United striker explained.

"Terry is a player who can talk to other players. He organises the defence and midfield. He heads the ball. One thing we had a player like him was Stam, Vidic and proper people. These players are not there anymore."

"It's also a different game and United still need leaders. United also need leaders. Apart from Wayne Rooney, they are not many of them at the club. He leads by an example," McGarvey concluded.