Manchester United sign unknown 20-year old Portuguese Bebe
Manchester United manager revealed that he went totally out of his way to sign the young striker from Portugal, Tiago Correia, better known as Bebe. The 20-year old is the 3rd signing for Manchester United this season. He was signed for 7 million pounds. Manchester United made use of a release clause in his contract with Vitoria Guimaraes.
The transfer is no ordinary one, and is full of remarkable little stories. Bebe spent a lot of time on the streets of Portugal and played for a team that was put together by CAIS, the organization that puts together the homeless team for Portugal.
He later signed with Vitoria and after just 5 weeks made his way to Manchester United. He was picked out by the Portugal based scout of Manchester United. He was also heavily recommended by the former right hand of Sir Alex Ferguson Carlo Queiroz, who is now the coach of the national team of Portugal.
No one knew anything about Bebe a year ago, when he played for the 3rd division team in Portugal named Amadora. Since then a number of top clubs in Europe including Real Madrid started to ask around about the young talent. Ferguson decided to act fast and despite having seen him play the United manager decided to take his former assistant’s word and signed the 20-year old.
Sir Alex Ferguson said that he has not seen him play, and he has never done this in the past. He said that normally he gets to see numerous videos but he admitted that it was just his instinct to sign him and hopes that it pays off well. He said that his Portugal Scout was insistent that if we don’t sign him some other club will, so we had to act fast and Ferguson said that whatever he has heard till now is very impressive and he cannot wait to see him in action.
He said when we sign a player, it’s the pace talent and agility of the player that are observed. Ferguson said that for the first time that he has put his faith in word of mouth and hopes that he was right.
He said the he discussed it with the club’s CEO David Gill, and he decided to go to Portugal and make the deal final.
It is not sure when he will make his debut for the team, it is expected that Bebe would have to wait till the 3rd round Carlin Cup match to put on the red of United for the senior team.
Considering Bebe’s biggest game so far has been a cup tie against Benfica, it certainly is a fairy tale story and all would be waiting to see how he performs for the Red Devils. Many have already started to make comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo as he also came to United when he was an unknown young player. He matured into world’s best player, but it is unfair to make such comparisons. That is what happened with Nani and although he has held his own, he has not been able to match his compatriot by a distance.
Bebe, when asked by reporters of what he can do, had a very simple and honest answer, he said he is fast, can kick the ball quiet well, and can also score goals. Well if he can live up to the simple promise it would be worth the 7 million spent by Ferguson.
Tags: