‘I’m Man Utd’s biggest flop – I would fly to Portugal on days off but don’t regret it’

In a candid revelation, former Manchester United player Bebe, infamous for his unsuccessful four-year stint at Old Trafford, admitted to not being fully focused on the club during his time there.

The winger, now 33 and captain of La Liga’s Rayo Vallecano, reflected on his tumultuous period at United, characterized by a £7.4 million gamble signing by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Bebe’s Premier League journey, marked by limited senior appearances (just seven), was marred by his struggles to adapt.

Growing up in an orphanage and having only played professionally in the Portuguese third tier, the transition proved challenging.

Looking back nearly a decade after leaving United in 2014, Bebe acknowledged that he would have approached things differently with the benefit of hindsight.

He confessed to not fully grasping the professional aspect, citing instances where he would fly back to Portugal on his days off, indicating a lack of commitment.

Bebe acknowledged that he should have prioritized rest, professionalism, and football focus over other distractions.

Despite his acknowledgment of a need for better behavior, he emphasized that he doesn’t regret the decision to leave his home country at the age of 20.

Reflecting on the abrupt transition from an orphanage to playing alongside global football stars, Bebe described his 20-year-old self as getting “a bit lost.”

Lamenting the absence of parental figures, he noted that he lacked guidance and accountability during his time at United.

After navigating through various clubs, Bebe has found stability at Rayo Vallecano since 2018, where he now serves as captain.

Notably, he has switched his international allegiance to Cape Verde, scoring five goals in 14 games since his debut last year.