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Manchester United assistant manager Ryan Giggs says criticism of Gareth Bale will only help the Real Madrid forward improve.

Bale, 25, was singled out for criticism after a 4-0 defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid last month.

Spanish media described the Wales international's performance as a "disaster" and "irrelevant" in Real's worst derby defeat since 1947.

"That's the sort of scrutiny you're under at a top team," said Giggs.

"You see Cristiano Ronaldo under pressure because he hasn't scored for three games," the 41-year-old added.

"His [Bale's] first season was a massive success and because of that it's always tough to carry that one the next season.

"I went through it, and you become a better player because of it."

Bale, who departed Tottenham for a world-record fee in 2013, has scored 14 goals in 35 games in all competitions this season, providing eight assists, while Real top La Liga by two points from Barcelona.

In his first season at the Bernabeu, Bale won the Copa del Rey and Champions League, scoring in both finals.