Former Manchester United striker Bebe has spoken out once again about his time at the Old Trafford club. The Portuguese signed unexpectedly for a fee of £7m in 2010, which in itself raised eyebrows, Sir Alex Ferguson also revealed that he had never seen the player play before signing him. Bebe made only seven appearances for the Red Devils, scoring two goals, before leaving in 2014. He is now plying his trade at Benfica, but currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano.

Bebe admits he initially thought it was a “joke” when he heard United wanted to sign him and that it was “insane” being one of their players – but he insists he enjoyed the experience.

“It all happened very quickly, a total surprise,” he said.

“One day I’m training and the next they’re telling me that I’m going to sign a five-year contract with Manchester United. I thought it was a joke. I wasn’t there long, but I enjoyed it.”

“It was insane. I was playing with the best in the world. It wasn’t easy, the first week I had to take a deep breath, but I got used to it. I adapted and tried to fit in.”

“I came there without much of a football education, just what I was born with: talent, speed, strength … but you needed more. If a big club signed me now it’d be different.”

Despite his time at United being the stuff of nightmares, Bebe is still confident that he can find the form he was once touted for. Surprisingly, he has likened himself to former United and Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper AS, Bebe said when asked who his idol was: “Drogba, but also Cristiano because he’s Portuguese. I have the same way of running, and the same shooting style; he’s definitely a favourite.”

[Quotes sourced from The Guardian]