A “fairytale story” was how Sir Alex described the arrival of Tiago Manuel Dias Correia - better known as Bebe.
After a few years plying his trade at Portuguese third division club Estrela Amadora, Bebe signed for Vitoria de Guimaraes in July 2010. A mere five weeks later, he was putting pen-to-paper on a United contract. The Reds' agreement to sign the versatile forward from Guimaraes was announced on 4 August 2010 and he was unveiled the following week alongside fellow new signings Chris Smalling and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.
A player with seemingly great potential was acquired by United without being
viewed by Sir Alex. The boss admitted it was an impulse decision to sign him, following advice from the club's scouts in Portugal and from former assistant Carlos Queiroz.
The powerful attacker made his senior debut in the Carling Cup win at Scunthorpe and his Premier League bow against Sunderland a couple of weeks later. Although still raw, he managed to score in the Champions League win at Bursaspor and against Wolves in the Carling Cup to highlight his promise.
After the flirtation with the first XI, this was always going to be a bedding-in season for the inexperienced recruit and he
continued to play regularly with Warren Joyce's Reserves, bagging some spectacular strikes along the way, before making another start in the FA Cup victory against Crawley Town.
Already possessing the physique and pace required to become a top footballer, his skills will be honed as he continues to develop under the watchful eye of the United coaches. Judging by his celebrations during the end-of-season parade through Manchester, it's obvious that the Portugal Under-21 international is enjoying life in the spotlight at Old Trafford.
A loan move to Besiktas was confirmed in June, 2011, with Bebe honing his