Former Manchester United striker Terry Gibson has claimed that Gareth Bale needs "to do more" at Real Madrid.

Bale impressed during his first season at the Bernabeu – scoring 22 times as the Spanish side won both the Copa del Rey and Champions League.

The 25-year-old has scored 16 times this season, but has been largely criticised for his performances in the big games.

Gibson has said that he understands the criticism of the attacker, who he feels needs to become more involved.

"Bale isn't helping himself in terms of getting into positions. It can happen in some games where the wide man doesn't get the service, but not at Real Madrid. With [Toni] Kroos, [Luka] Modric and Isco in midfield there is enough there to suggest he is going to get the ball," Gibson told Sky Sports News.

"Bale has got to do more. It's slightly irritating seeing such an athletic, supremely gifted footballer on the periphery of the game because he does need to get involved a lot more.

"At Spurs he had a free role where he was allowed to drift, to go and get the ball. Having said that, the Spurs players were happy to give it to him whenever possible. It's something that has crept up on Real Madrid and Bale, that he is not involved as much as they'd like, and certainly not as much as he would like."

Bale has been strongly linked with a return to the Premier League.