Gareth Bale to Manchester United: Forward 'texted' Real owner Florentino Perez to try to save Rafa Benitez

Reports suggest the Welshman stepped in and contacted Read owner Perez to back his former manager

Gareth Bale greets Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane after scoring a hat-trick in the Frenchman's first match in charge (Getty)

Gareth Bale reportedly sent text messages to members of the Real Madrid hierarchy in the days before Rafael Benitez was sacked, throwing his weight behind the Spaniard.

The former Tottenham Hotspur forward was one of few allies Benitez had in the Real dressing room and, following the 2-2 draw with Valencia, Bale contacted president Florentino Perez.

Also messaging managing director Enrique Sanchez-Gonzalez, Bale affirmed his support for his now ex-manager as rumours surfaced that Benitez faced dismissal.

According to the Daily Mail, the Madrid forward – who scored a hat-trick in Zinedine Zidane’s first match as manager – was disappointed by the decision. The 26-year-old has been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks.

Gareth Bale leaps above the Deportivo defence to score for Madrid (Getty)

Speaking after the 5-0 victory against Deportiva La Coruna, the Frenchman resisted the temptation to shower Bale with praise.

He said: “Gareth just has to do what I've asked everyone else to do, which is to defend without the ball and open the pitch up and play when we have it.”

Karim Benzema scored the other two goals as Zidane got off to a flier despite rumours Bale would be willing to leave for Old Trafford in the summer.