Bebe

It's actually quite a big interview.
 
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When Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United, the scene looked set for Nani to really shine. He preferred playing on the right and his Portuguese team mate leaving would give him more responsibility within the team and a big chance to show that he could get to a similar level. That didn't happen, and buying Antonio Valencia didn't help but Manchester United loanee Bebe reckons that Ferguson got angry with Nani for not turning into the player he thought he could be.

Speaking to Mais in Portugal, Bebe said "For example, with Nani this (shouting at a player) happened often. Mr. Ferguson always found a fault in everything that Nani did. Probably because he thought he could get to the level of Cristiano Ronaldo."

To be fair to Ferguson, Nani gets it in the ear from everyone at Manchester United and a lot of the time he deserves it. Whether it's his team mates giving him grief for not passing them the ball when in a better position or the fans getting frustrated with below par performances, Nani will be under no illusion that he hasn't lived up to many people's expectations.

Bebe would obviously be more likely to speak about Nani, because that's what the Portuguese press would want, but the winger probably isn't too singled out. Alexander Buttner spoke in Holland earlier this season about Ferguson shouting at players and explained that it's irrelevant to the manager who a player is, he'll give it out if he feels he needs to.

"I've never seen anyone so angry as he can be. Something which in the Netherlands is unprecedented, I swear. And what is so special is against whom he rages, everybody without distinction.

"It matters to him not a jot whether it's Rooney, Scholes or Nani. If he does not like it, he flips it full on. Especially if you're in the game, doing something wrong because you are tired. There he really hates it. At the last minute he is sharp."

It's part of what has made Ferguson the manager he is and, in turn, Manchester United the team they are. Nani has probably missed his chance to be the next Ronaldo and seems to be getting further out of the Old Trafford picture. If he doesn't agree a new contract soon then the likelihood of him being sold in the summer must be high.

Bebe wasn't being critical of Ferguson in the interview and he's talked at length about his time with Manchester United, he thinks he left Portugal too young and would have things differently if he could, but he explained several times that people at the club went out of their way to help him settle in. He's happy his career is back on track and thinks he owes Rio Ave some goals between now and the end of the season.
 
I have a soft spot for Bebe, but I really, really wanted that hair cut quote to be genuine and serious. It's like something from The Simpsons.
 
Still on loan. The quote about his mother is hilarious because he was abandoned by his parents.
 
I remember something about a 1m option to buy in his loan contract. If that's the case, he probably won't be coming back. Anybody know the truth of it?
 
I see the Daily Mail have discovered his obviously light-hearted comments and turned them into an angry, anti-Fergie screed. Honestly, they're beyond parody at this point.
 
If that Giggs quote is true, the Legend of Ryan Giggs just grew even bigger in my eyes.
 
Question: Bébé need to take this step backwards, returning to Portugal?

Bébé: Clearly. I think I left too early. I didn't play in the Portuguese First League and went directly to Manchester United, surrounded by Stars and Sacred monsters. I should have stayed at least one more year at Guimarães.

Question: When did you learn about United's interest?

Bébé: It was instantly, unexpected. I was training and Vitória's Chairman called me. He said that we needed to go quickly to Jorge Mendes (agent) house. I thought I was going to sign for him for representation, because i had no agent. When i arrived, Mendes introduced himself, smiled and ask me "Do you wanna join Manchester United? Yes? Then you go" I didn't believe him. I thought he was mocking me, honestly.

Question: I imagine the first days at Manchester were unforgettable.

Bébé:It's incredible to remember all that. People at the club helped me a lot and I learned a lot. First week as tough. I was so embarassed and I didn't speak to anyone. I just wanted to be at my corner, looking. I just remembered when I was in "Casa do Gaiato" (kind of a foster center), dreaming to be one of those players.

Question: Which players helped you the most?

Bébé: Anderson and Nani, of course, because they speak portuguese and Patrice Evra. I lived 2 months at Anderson's place. It was great. He showed me everything in the city and at the club. He always told me what i was doing wrong and well. I'll appreciate his help for ever.

Question: What went wrong at Manchester? Did you think about that?

Bébé: The most experienced players said that i didn't train well. It's true. I thought: "Im here, I earn well, I don't have to make an effort everyday". It was all my fault. I joked too much. When I tried to go the right way, it was too late. If I could go back, I would changed a lot of things in my behaviour. I was always fooling around at United and everyone else took things very seriously. They complained with me and were upset with me, rightfully.

Question: That's why you went to Besiktas? United wanted you to act responsably?

Bébé: Yes. They wanted me to changed my professional approach. I was on vacations and Jorge Mendes called telling me I was going to Besiktas. It sounded good to me because there were a lot of portuguese players there. I thought it was going to be hard to be a starter because of Hugo Almeida and Simão but i quickly fitted in and took my place. I was doing very well till i got injured.

Question: There were other portuguese players there...

Bébé: Quaresma is a great player. Kinda like me. "Móinas" (Slang for Lazy). If he wanted he would be one of the best in the world. He could have had a better career. He was magic with the ball. But his head is messed up. Manuel Fernandes is the same. Played a lot. Should be in the national team but he is another hard headed player. They have everything, they earn well but don't care. They are world class.

Question: In 2012 you returned to United but always played in the reserves

Bébé: I had a nice pre season and Ferguson even praised me publicly. Then he never played me. He said that I was going to be a nice headache but he never played me. I lost motivation. But now I'm happier at Rio Ave.

Question: Playing in one of the portuguese big clubs pleases you?

Bébé: I would like to play at Sporting, I identify myself with the club.

Question: Bébé are you going to be one of the best portuguese players?

Bébé: I want and can be. I have qualities for that.

Question: Have you understood why Sir Alex gave 9 millions for you in 2010?

Bébé: Laughs. The two months in Guimarães were perfect. I don't know if the valuation was fair but I do know that Ferguson trusted a lot in the info people gave him about me. I can make a difference in the way i sprint and win some meters. In English football thats fundamental. Perhaps Ferguson thought the same.

Question: Is he a manager that intimidates players?

Bébé: No. Nothing. When he yells at players it's just to help, because he feels they can give more. That happens alot with Nani. Ferguson always found a flaw in everything Nani did. Probably because he feels Nani can reach Ronaldo's level.

Question: Is it true that Ferguson advised you to cut you hair?

Bébé: Yes he did. I entered his room and he was looking extremely focused at me. "Hmm that hair, like this? If you cut it, you look more cool." Of course I cut it in the same day. In the next day at training, he didn't recognize me (laughs). I went past him many times and he didn't understand that it was me.

Question: Did he talk a lot with you? Did he have patience?

Bébé: He spoke a lot but i didn't understand. He had a scary accent. I didn't understand anything (laughs)

Question: Did he ask you to change name or did accept that your name was still Bébé?

Bébé: Yes he accepted it. He called me Baby in the beginning but then he understood that it wasn't that.

Question: Do you speak to Nani about your time in Rio Ave?

Bébé: Actually I speak more with Hernandez and Valencia. Nani is more shy. I get along with him but I haven´t spoke to him in ages.

Question: At the end of the season are you going to return to Manchester?

Bébé: I want to return and that's the indications I have. But if I won't play, I want to stay at another club. I wanna evolve.

Question: Are you in contact with United people? Are they pleased with your work at Rio Ave?

Bébé: I talk with a lot of directors, regularly. I think they are liking my work. That motivates me, gives me hope. I need a full season playing, to gain rythm and fame before returning to United.

Question: So the ideal scenario is play one more season loaned and then return?

Bébé: Yes, that's what I want. If I don't have injuries, I'm sure I'll impose myself at United.

Question: You scored two goals at United. Do you remember those moments?

Bébé: I'll never forget. I scored against Wolves and Bursaspor, this in the Champions League. Curiosly, in that game, I got in upset. Nani injured himself and I thought I was going in but the coach put another player (Ji Sung Park). I was sad. I was always warming up in some games but never got in. I thought it was going to be the same. But I got in at the 62 minute and scored.

Question: What did Sir Alex ask you in that game?

Bébé: He told me not to go back. He want me to stick at the line, giving quality to the passes and crosses. When i scored I didn't even know how to celebrate. Scholes did the pass and I finished well.

Question: Did you ever imagined that Scholes would make you an assist?

Bébé: No, never (laughs). On those days, it was all a dream. One day I nutmegged Giggs at training and in the end he came up to me and said "Now you can tell your mother that you nutmegged me".

Question: How was your day at Manchester?

Bébé: I lived near my teammates. Half an hour from the city and the training center. In the beginning I went with Anderson. Then I went by Taxi. Sometimes Nani gave me a ride too. We trained in the morning and not in the afternoon. Only if we had gym. In the end of training we had a screen with all the individual indications, for each player.

Question: Who was the best player at United?

Bébé: Paul Scholes. Thinks three times ahead of any player. Van Persie and Nani are also fantastic on the one on one.
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Apparently.
 
Comes across as a really nice guy, but lacking the mentality to be a top class player- at least when he first arrived at the club. Who knows maybe has matured and will do what's expected of him when he returns. God knows there's room for improvement in the wide areas at the moment.
 
DailyMail have been on Bebe's case for some reason ever since he joined. I remember they leaked a story about the coaches not being happy with him about a month after he joined.
 
nothing much wrong with what he said in that interview. some good jokes as well. btw did he ever trained alongside van persie?
 
ricky-romeo said:
nothing much wrong with what he said in that interview. some good jokes as well. btw did he ever trained alongside van persie?
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There's a lot wrong if he's admitting himself that he was lazy in training etc. Absolutely no chance at United with that attitude.

Shame, as there really is talent there. But without the right mentality you will never be United class.
 
Doesn't seem like a fergie signing. Somehow I can't see SAF not recognizing his 9m man.
 
His next match: Tomorrow at 18:15 against Pacos Ferreira.

Will probably be able to find it online.
 
He came across as a person well but as a professional footballer for Manchester United he came across terribly. He admitted to not even trying once he had signed because he was earning good money. He admitted that senior players took him to task over his laziness He also admitted to losing motivation after not being in the first team. He is not the type of personality that we want at United.

It was an interesting peek behind the scenes because he said too much. I can't see SAF being that impressed with it.
 
A bit naive of him really - you get the chance of your life and you lean back instead of giving your all. I can see Nevill fuming at him
 
Sounds like Anderson was teaching him the ropes at United....:nervous:
 
Jimy_Hills_Chin said:
He came across as a person well but as a professional footballer for Manchester United he came across terribly. He admitted to not even trying once he had signed because he was earning good money. He admitted that senior players took him to task over his laziness He also admitted to losing motivation after not being in the first team. He is not the type of personality that we want at United.

It was an interesting peek behind the scenes because he said too much. I can't see SAF being that impressed with it.
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Yeah, he drafted his own P45 with that interview. No way Fergie would want someone at the club with such a poor attitude. Shame really. You'd think his background would make him hungrier to succeed than most other footballers but it seems to have had the opposite effect. In a way you can understand it. Once he achieved independence and relative financial security he'd probably already exceeded whatever ambitions he had growing up.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Yeah, he drafted his own P45 with that interview. No way Fergie would want someone at the club with such a poor attitude. Shame really. You'd think his background would make him hungrier to succeed than most other footballers but it seems to have had the opposite effect. In a way you can understand it. Once he achieved independence and relative financial security he'd probably already exceeded whatever ambitions he had growing up.
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I think that he was done here anyway. The guy doesn't seem very self aware or with an understanding of what it takes to be an elite level sports star. From that interview, can you imagine if he turned up when Roy Keane was here?

I would say that interview actually gives some credence to the 'competition winner' quote, he certainly came across like one there.
 
Jimy_Hills_Chin said:
I think that he was done here anyway. The guy doesn't seem very self aware or with an understanding of what it takes to be an elite level sports star. From that interview, can you imagine if he turned up when Roy Keane was here?

I would say that interview actually gives some credence to the 'competition winner' quote, he certainly came across like one there.
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I would think the opposite. The whole "competition winner" stuff was supposed to explain why we signed someone completely devoid of talent.

Turns out the issue was more attitude than any lack of talent. Which is why he looked so good in pre-season and in Portugal. When he's got his game head on, he's actually a very good footballer. Just lacks the ambition and drive to make the most of himself.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Yeah, he drafted his own P45 with that interview. No way Fergie would want someone at the club with such a poor attitude. Shame really. You'd think his background would make him hungrier to succeed than most other footballers but it seems to have had the opposite effect. In a way you can understand it. Once he achieved independence and relative financial security he'd probably already exceeded whatever ambitions he had growing up.
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I'm sure Fergie saw that attitude every day in training and that is why he was in the Reserves and loaned out. Maybe he makes the turnaround but in his case it might be too late as he didnt have a proper football education earlier on
 
Pogue Mahone said:
I would think the opposite. The whole "competition winner" stuff was supposed to explain why we signed someone completely devoid of talent.
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I wouldn't deduce that is how the alleged comment was intended. It simply means that he was out of place for whatever reason.
 
Jimy_Hills_Chin said:
I wouldn't deduce that is how the alleged comment was intended. It simply means that he was out of place for whatever reason.
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I'm not entirely sure who made that comment, or in which context. I was only referring to all the stuff about how he didn't have the talent to play sunday league, never mind premier league. Assumed it was along the same lines.
 
He signed his P45 when he had look at me headphones during a game whilst he was sat on the subs bench. Anyway, there are many kids more talented that this guys on United books.
 
Sultan said:
He signed his P45 when he had look at me headphones during a game whilst he was sat on the subs bench. Anyway, there are many kids more talented that this guys on United books.
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Wasn't it Obertan who had the headphones on? And they weren't on the subs bench to be fair, he wasn't in the squad was watching from the stands.
 
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