Bebe believes he owes Rayo Vallecano Coach Paco Jemez for showing faith in him, and he’s a much better player now than he was at Manchester United.

The Portuguese was a surprise signing at Old Trafford in 2010, having spent only five weeks at Vitoria after leaving Estrela after a troubled childhood partly spent with his siblings in an orphanage.

“My parents divorced, my mother didn’t have time to deal with us, and we didn’t see my father anymore,” Bebe told AS.

“I didn’t behave. Now it’s different. I can give my family and my friends another life.

“I’m still in contact with people from the orphanage, all of them. Whenever I’m in Portugal I go there to talk to them. The orphanage continues, there are fewer children there now. Father Arsenio is still there.

“Didier Drogba was my idol, but also Cristiano Ronaldo, because he’s Portuguese. I run the same way, shoot the same way. He’s my favourite.

“The move to United happened very fast. It was a surprise. One day I was training and suddenly I was told to go, to sign a five-year contract. I didn’t know if it was a joke.

“It was the dream of many children. It was crazy. When I got there I was with the best in the world. It took me a while. I was breathing deep the first week but I got used to it. I absorbed where I was.

“[Rio] Ferdinand, [Ryan] Giggs, [Wayne] Rooney…a few months earlier I saw them on TV and then I was running, jumping, talking with them.

“I got there without much training but I had talent, speed, strength. I needed more. If I was signed now a lot would be different.”

Bebe bounced around after struggling at United, playing on loan at Besiktas, Rio Ave and Pacos de Ferreira, before he was picked up by Benfica, loaned to Cordoba in 2015 and, for this season, Rayo, at Jemez’s request.

“Paco has given me confidence. He asked for me. I owe him a lot. He always talks to me. He doesn’t let me get distracted or relax,” Bebe revealed.

“Before, tactically, I wasn’t very good. I learned a lot with Benfica and now with Paco I work to be complete. I like to listen and learn.

“I’m enjoying it in Madrid and in Vallecas. I’ve been received very well. It’s like a family. I didn’t expect that. This season will be good for me.

“I’m comfortable in Spain. This is my place. Something tells me I should be here. I’m five minutes from the training ground.”

Tags Bebe Manchester United Paco Jemez
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