Bebe: 'Manchester United move came too soon'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 17 November 2015

Much-travelled Portuguese forward Bebe, who is currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano from Benfica, admits that he joined Premier League giants Manchester United too soon.

Former Manchester United attacker Bebe has claimed that things "would be different" if he moved to Old Trafford now rather than in 2010.

Man United caused a stir five years ago when they parted with more than £7m to sign the Portuguese from Vitoria de Guimaraes, despite the fact that he had not made a competitive appearance for his new club.

The 25-year-old only made two league appearances during his time in England, however, and had loan spells with the likes of Besiktas and Rio Ave before joining Benfica in 2014.

Bebe is currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano from his Portuguese club and after starting to rebuild his career, has said that he would now be better prepared for a move to a big club.

"The move to United happened very fast. It was a surprise. One day I was training and suddenly I was told to go, to sign a five-year contract. I didn't know if it was a joke," Bebe told AS.

"It was the dream of many children. It was crazy. When I got there I was with the best in the world. It took me a while. I was breathing deep the first week but I got used to it. I absorbed where I was.

"[Rio] Ferdinand, [Ryan] Giggs, [Wayne] Rooney... a few months earlier I saw them on TV and then I was running, jumping, talking with them. I got there without much training but I had talent, speed, strength. I needed more. If I was signed now a lot would be different."

Bebe spent the 2014-15 campaign on loan at Cordoba, before moving to Rayo at the start of the season, where he has made 10 league appearances this term.