In Sir Alex Ferguson's two decade-spanning tenure at the helm of Manchester United, he has made a plethora of astute signings. The former homeless football star, better known as Bebe, was not one of them. He has gained a notoriety amongst the Old Trafford faithful and has carved a place in folklore as something of a bizarre signing. Bebe had just been signed from a club who had only just signed for weeks earlier on a free transfer. Just how Vitoria were able to demand £7 million for a player who they had acquired for nothing and had never pulled on a jersey for them, cause many to question the credibility of the deal. When rumours rose that Sir Alex Ferguson had never actually watched the former homeless starlet in action, punters raised a cynical eyebrow in the direction of the Old Trafford hierarchy. In 2012, the Portuguese police even began to investigate the goings-on of the transfer, with Bebe having been part of a third-party ownership which only served to complicate matters. Ultimately, was he worth it? In short - no. The former 20 year old starlet whom Manchester United shelled out £7 million to prize him from Portugal, has featured in the Premier League on two occasions, racking up five appearances in other competitions. Following some of the worst crossing the Stretford End has ever seen in a League Cup round with Wolves, Bebe was essentially banished from first-team duties, and sentenced to three loan stints away from the club, before finally penning a permanent deal at Benfica this summer. Whoever the bright sparks were who sanctioned that controversial deal must truly think - what a waste of time.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
