Bebe eager to make most of United break
August 23 - 29, 2010
MANCHESTER – Bebe admits even he was surprised about his move to Manchester United but the striker is determined to take his chance at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese forward, 20, made the £7.4 million pounds move from Vitoria de Guimaraes just five weeks after he joined them from Estrela da Amadora.
And only a week after he first became aware of United’s interest, Bebe signed for the Old Trafford club.
Bebe, speaking to reporters at Old Trafford here on August 17, said following in the footsteps of Portuguese stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani was also a big factor in the move.
“I feel good. It is an opportunity that has been given to me and now I have to grab it and work very hard,” Bebe said.
“It was one week from hearing about interest to signing.
“I have always wanted to play in a foreign team either United or Chelsea but a team like Man United is a dream come true for any player.
“The Portuguese factor at Old Trafford was a motivation for me. There were very big names like Cristiano Ronaldo who has played here and is a very big player now.
“Also Nani and Anderson, I want to become like them and I will work hard to become a top quality player.
“I know all big players have to play with a lot of pressure on them and I’m going to try to do the same.”
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, also unveiling Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling, revealed Bebe was the first player he’d signed without even seeing on television.
Ferguson said United had to move quickly to head off interest from Real Madrid and Benfica, with his scouts persuading him to send chief executive David Gill to Portugal to do the deal.
“I didn’t see any videos of him, it’s the first time,” Ferguson said. “Normally, as in the case of Javier and Chris, I see plenty of video footage of them.
“You’ve got to trust your staff at times and our scout in Portugal was adamant we must do something quickly.
“So I sent my chief scout and David Gill down there to do the deal.”
– AFP
