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Carlos Queiroz sets the record straight on Bebe to Manchester United transfer

Bebe signed for Manchester United in 2010 and is regarded as one of the club's worst-ever transfers.

Carlos Queiroz has set the record straight on Bebe's transfer to Manchester United.(Image: Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

Carlos Queiroz admits he had never heard of Bebe prior to his infamous transfer to Manchester United — let alone recommended him to his former club.

Regarded as one of United's worst ever signings under Sir Alex Ferguson, winger Bebe played seven games for the Premier League giants, scoring twice.


Now aged 31, the Portuguese is still a professional with La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.


Bebe's transfer to Old Trafford in 2010 — from Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes — was part of a remarkable tale, after he emerged from life as an orphan, and living in shelter homes, to perhaps the biggest stage in European and world football.

His €8.8million signing is often attributed to connections with Queiroz, who had two spells as assistant under Ferguson at United and managed the Portugal national team at the time of the player's arrival in the UK.

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According to the 68-year-old, though, that suggestion that he pushed Bebe as a target to Ferguson couldn't be further from the truth.

During an in-depth interview with FourFourTwo, Queiroz said: "Once and for all, I want to make it clear that I had nothing to do with that. What's more, no-one from United ever sought my advice about him. Why would I have been involved?


"As everyone knows, at that time I was the Portugal manager. Bebe wasn't even part of our elite national scouting list — I didn't even know that he existed.

"I was the first one to be shocked and surprised with what happened."

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