Gareth Bale has played down suggestions that he is unhappy with life at Real Madrid, insisting that the personal abuse he has received "is normal".

The 28-year-old was booed by certain sections of the crown in each of Los Blancos' last two games, both of which ended in disappointing draws, while also being jeered at a fan event in the Spanish capital on Friday.

Bale has struggled to click into top gear since returning from an injury layoff at the end of last season, but he showed signs of his best when latching on to a ball over the top and scoring a vital goal in the 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday evening.

Asked about the criticism aimed his way in recent weeks, the Welshman told Movistar: "It's normal, it happens in football. For me obviously I just have to try to keep my head down and keep working hard. That's all I can do.

"I can't control what goes on, I can only control how hard I work on the pitch. You go through ups and downs in your career, but it is how you bounce back."

Bale, who briefly contemplated joining Manchester United during the summer, has two goals and an assist in his four La Liga outings this term.