Posted on Wednesday, 25th August 2010 by Chudi
When we signed Bebe we knew we were taking a risk. For a player with his background we were always leaving ourselves open to scrutiny and the fee didn’t help. When Sir Alex confessed he hadn’t even seen the 20 year old play that was all the ammunition the papers needed, Bebe had a target on his back.
Last week there were rumblings from a well known Guardian journo that the Portuguese player had looked less than impressive in training. Now where this journalist got this info from is still up in the air and whilst I doubt it’s validity let’s assume it’s true. Aged 20 at a new club and in a new country unable to speak the language, he could be forgiven for being slightly over awed by the new and unfamiliar situation he faced but this didn’t seem to matter to whoever made these discouraging comments.
The fact he joined with Smalling and Hernandez was also going to count against him as both appeared to fit seamlessly into the team and thus the same standard would be expected of him, despite the fact that all 3 came from different backgrounds and this probably wasn’t be taken into account by those who were quick to slate him.
Well without bothering to check the legitimacy of this, it appears other news sources are running with this story too and today The Daily Mail stated:
And it now appears that the former Vitoria Guimaraes player is taking so much time to settle that United reserve team boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer decided not to include him in the 16-man squad to face local rivals Manchester City in Hyde last night.
Whilst the Irish Times, although offering a little more, followed stating,
The Guardian has established that the first impressions of Bebe have been below expectations. In particular, his touch and control has not been of the standard the club demands.
The problem with both is that they set up the opposition in themselves. In the Daily Mail quote they talk about him taking so much time to settle in. Do they not realise this is a player who was signed just 14 DAYS AGO!? Even worse the Irish Times unashamedly confirm that their piece is based off the hear-say of this Guardian journalist.
I will confess I had heard he would play against City last night but this too was hear say and there are a number of reasons as to why he didn’t, saying that he has been unimpressive in training just seems like the easiest way to get reads or shift a couple of copies.
It was known that Bebe was not anywhere near the complete article when we signed him but his attributes meant that he would definitely be one for the future. It’s just a shame that for some his future appears to have come 14 days after it was announced that he would be joining the club. He hasn’t even kicked a ball in anger in United’s colours yet so here is an idea, lets judge him after he plays rather than before?
Sounds reasonable right?
OllieWillie FC, a United blog I like to read was kind enough to share their view on the situation and after reading it, it makes the comments even more ridiculous! Click here for the blog
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Tags: Bebe
Posted in Blogs, Reserves/Academy | Comments (30)
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August 25th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Well said! And if there is a real source the club should try to identify it and have a word. The lad doesn’t need this sort of discouragement.
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August 25th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I think media reaction isn’t really the point here.
All we hear is how the interest rate goes up, how the PIK debts are swelling. Meanwhile, the first team squad is clearly not good enough, especially in midfield, at a time when Champions League qualification is absolutely crucial, considering our financial situation, and in a league where we have the champions Chelsea – a superior team -, an improving Arsenal and a Citeh team spending hundreds of millions.
So, in this climate, we’ve signed an unkown 20-year-old player on an impulse, on instinct for £7.4m – without our manager ever having watched him in action. And it turns out he can’t even be trusted to play for the reserves two weeks after he signed. This is pure MADNESS. A reckless gamble which we cannot afford at the moment.
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August 25th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
It’s all mindless paper drivel cos it’s a slow news day… when was the last time any focus was placed on a reserves match for any team? Just a ridiculous story…
Bebe will be fine. It’ll take him a few months to learn English and we won’t see a great deal of him until he does, that’s my expectation. I’m not expecting to see anything of him until around Christmas time.
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August 25th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
Bebe doesnt understand our language yet so why risk playin a kid who wouldnt be able to understand the tactical plans or indeed his fellow teammates, its just typical scum throwing toys out pram coz their deperate see him play and he didnt so in true sensationalism form, they write an insulting ill-informed piece on the lad.
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August 25th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
“why risk playin a kid who wouldnt be able to understand the tactical plans or indeed his fellow teammates”
Why have we even signed him, then? United need players who can do a job NOW, not sometimes in the vague and distant future. This “building for the future” with unknown youngsters thing really worked out with Djemba-Djemba, Bellion, Tosic, Miller etc., didn’t it?
I still can’t understand this signing in the current financial climate, with the first team squad clearly insufficient for a serious title challenge.
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August 25th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I agree with the thrust of your piece, but just one correction – you keep putting in ‘hear say’ as separate wording. It’s ‘hearsay’. Obviously your spell checker didn’t pick up the error because each word, separately, is spelt correctly. One to file away for future reference.
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August 25th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Zae everything you write is so negative mate. Give it a rest will you. You sound like you’re starting to believe the complete and utter crap you read in the media about our empire crumbling yet again, we are about to go pop blah blah blah blah. Honestly im actually ashamed of United fans at the moment as the way most of you are going on youd think we were finishing in the bottom half of the table and literally not having a pot to p*ss in. I cant wait till we win the title this year as i expect all of you to come on here and apologise for talking so much knee jerk over the top negative rubbish about the worlds greatest clubs.
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August 25th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I don’t think the papers realise that Manchester Utd had to sign this player.
http://www.realmadridzone.com/manchester-united-sign-real-madrid-target-bebe/2806
Give the man some time. Ridculous bet he has barely just about learnt the names of his team-mates.
Coleman.
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August 25th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
club
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August 25th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Danny Salford Red, I do envy your optimism, really, just can’t share it. It’s not media crap that Paul Scholes will turn 36 this November yet he’s still a key player. It’s not media crap that our debt is above 700m now, the interest rates on the PIK loans are going up; and it’s not media crap that we haven’t strengthened a squad that fell short on every front bar the Carling Cup last season. Smalling and Hernandez are both for the future but neither represents anything more right now than a little more depth when what we need is a little more quality. Especially in central midfield where, I repeat, we still haven’t signed anyone.
If we win the title, I’ll definitely 1) get drunk, 2)do something really stupid, 3) apologise to you and everyone. But right now I’d be more than pleased with a 3rd place finish.
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August 25th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Thank you Danny for smacking some senses in to these folks
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August 25th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Thank you Danny for smacking some senses in to these folks. Have confidence in our team. personally I thought our midfield has looked fine as of late. Our defense is another thing though.
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August 25th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Chudi Onwuazor – the Irish Times article is by the same journo who wrote the original in the Guardian. In fact, it’s the same article except the Irish Times used a different headline.
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August 25th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
These hacks are absolutely pathetic. Daniel Taylor, who started the “Bebe has been unimpressive” rumour, is the same clown who claimed Anderson had unimpressed during his first two months at United and was going to be loaned back to Porto in January ’08. Of course he was, Daniel. He only turned out to be one of our stars of that double winning season, memorably dominating his battles with Gerrard and Fabregas and capping it off by scoring a crucial penalty in Moscow.
Don’t put any stock in the likes of Daniel Taylor and James Ducker, their opinions are worthless.
On a related note, notice how some sections of the press reported that Fergie was “fuming” and “furious” after the draw with Fulham. Er, WTF? He was completely calm and magnanimous in his post match interview.
Meanwhile on Sky’s “Sunday Supplement” programme, the assembled hacks were playing down Scholes’s masterclass against the Geordies “it was only Newcastle” but lauding Theo Walcott’s performance against the mighty Blackpool, which apparently proved what a top player he is!
British journalists are a dispicable bunch.
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August 25th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
must have been a slow news day if bebe not making the reserves gets a story. total nonsense well done for highlighting the fact
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August 25th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Fredster – spot on pal. Daniel Taylor was also telling anyone who’d listen that Vidic was certain to join Real Madrid this summer. Makes me cringe when I see people on Twitter asking these numpties for inside info on United’s transfer dealings.
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August 25th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Thanks for all the comments people just going to clear something up that camr from Robson, I’m aware that Daniel Taylor wrote the Irish Times piece, my gripe is that the paper itself decided to run the story also.
They/he has attempted to make it more legitimate by saying ‘The Guardian has established’ instead of actually saying ‘I have established’
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August 25th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Though I have limited knowledge of British press, it is certainly one of extremes (i.e. some is world class, other press has less value than used toilet paper).
This case would certainly be the latter; but ultimately has no bearing as to whether or not Bebe is a good signing. I’m personally not an apologist for all things United and it’s foolish to assume he’ll be a star; on the other hand, to write off that possibility is just as stupid.
Let’s give Bebe time (and by that I mean more than a few months) and see what develops.
Finally, would people stop bringing up failed signings as if they were uniquely a United phenomenon? This happens with every club, and there are no guarentees when working with young talent. If you are going to bring up the failed signings, at least be honest and bring up the numerous success too.
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August 25th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Bebe will be a true player, a quality addition once he’s found his feet at United, learnt the language and addapted to the United way of life. Dont people get it, the media only likes to publish bad doomy news on our club to cause fiction between fans alike, it sells papers. Fact is we will be right up there challenging if not winning all the major honour’s and there not a person alive that change that.
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August 25th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Chudi Onwuazor. articles from the Guardian are regularly reprinted in the Irish Times for some reason or another. It’s nothing out of the ordinary. the same thing also happens with articles from the Independent, which are reprinted in some other Irish paper. It’s just something i’ve noticed with usually the only difference being a change of headline or the article will be written slightly differently by the same author. The bit where it says “the Guardian has established” is also in the original version (here – http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/25/bebe-manchester-united-alex-ferguson) It’s quite normal practice on the grand scale of things in the sense the original article was written by the journo in the employment / on behalf of the Guardian. the problem i find is its far too early to read anything into the fact he wasn’t selected for the reserves yet, best to just wait and see how things go with the lad, no rush.
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August 25th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Daniel Taylor makes shit up. I’m a City supporter and he makes shit up about City, so it doesn’t surprise me at all to learn he also makes shit up about United.
What does surprise me at times is that the editorial control at the Guardian is slack enough to allow him to consistently write articles with often misleading and usually deliberately provocative headlines. This is just one of many examples. And it is by no means amongst the worst.
“Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘instinct’ in signing Bebé looks to be off mark”
Now, I’m not trying to start a pointless slanging match with this next comment. But you don’t have the kind of money to spend on transfers that you once had. Fair enough? That being the case, you have to take a different approach to the transfer market, which will require you to try and get “more bang for your buck” and look for bargains. That means signing younger players and hoping they will fulfill their potential.
Now, when you do that, sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn’t. So:
1 – As Chudi says, it’s waaaaay too early to judge either way right now in this case
2 – If it doesn’t work out, that’s the gamble (as Chudi also says)
But doesn’t that headline suggest to you that Ferguson is slipping in some way? That he has made a serious error? And this is what winds me up about Daniel Taylor. Sensationalist bollocks on a consistent basis. And also making shit up. Did I mention that bit?
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August 25th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
anderson was 1 year younger when we signed him an he was fine.Plus bebe has nani an anderson hu speak portuguese so cant be that bad.Its jus cause hes shit an fergie has wasted 7.4 million i wouldn’t be surprised if he never plays for us
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Chudi Onwuazor Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 11:44 pm
Thanks for the insight Jack, calling a player shit who you’ve never seen play! Fans like this and all that eh?
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August 26th, 2010 at 12:42 am
I love the Jack’s simple formula. Maybe the front office should hire you if you can determine who will work out within a matter days.
Jack at his first day in OT’s front office:
Jack: “Well, this one speaks the same language and is a similar age, so his experience must relate directly in every way to the other guy.”
SAF: “My God, you’re a genius and certainly my successor.”
Jack: “Bow down in presence of greatness bitch”
@MickyFitz
Stop your logic and sound reasoning – you’re making it harder to simplify and demonize City supporters. We prefer City trolls on this site.
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August 26th, 2010 at 1:03 am
Only one thing doesn’t make sense to me here – paying £7m for a player from the Portugese third division who was practically unknown even in Portugal. It would be bonkers.
United have never oficially confirmed the price, it may actually be much less, in which case there may be some sense in it. But I think the club are letting us think they have spent £7m just so they can pretend we are still spending. I hope Bebe doesn’t pay the price for this ruse because that £7m number is creating expectations and media attention that he may not be able to cope with.
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August 26th, 2010 at 2:51 am
People keep talking about him being “dropped” from the reserve quad but that team had 6 full internationals in it and 6 u21 internationals in it. Its the strongest 2nds team we’ve ever fielded to be honest so it’s hardly a shock that a 20 y/o new to the club wasn’t played.
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August 26th, 2010 at 2:52 am
Oh and btw, good article
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August 26th, 2010 at 4:28 am
Btw again. Here are my extended views on the matter………http://olliewilliefc.tumblr.com/post/1011981117/this-whole-bebe-was-dropped-from-the-reserves-is
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August 26th, 2010 at 10:50 am
I don’t think the last couple summer signings of Manchester Utd have made any improvement to the club at all. Infact, we are going backwards comparing to the last 3 seasons when Ronaldo and Tevez were still playing in the side.
United lose TOP-CLASS PLAYERS but bring in just FINE PLAYERS. I also believe that the scout of Man.Utd. are not producing any effiency of work in the transfer market at all. The money spent this summer for all 3 players are nearly 30 million pounds, which I can’t see any value from them at all. There is no top class player but WHY??? Why United spend their limited amount of money like this???
All people keep saying that Man.Utd. are in serious situation of DEBT!!! But why they spend nearly 30 million pounds for these players which none of them is regarded or rated as top class player??? Why we signed BEBE for 7.4 million without seeing him playing??? Is there any corruption behind the scene??? If not, the better way for United is to change their scout in the transfer market…
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August 26th, 2010 at 11:25 am
@ Gazzaro you can’t be serious mate. It’s too hard to tell yet about this latest group of kids but at the very least you can’t think Hernandez was an error in judgement. We bought him for 7mill weeks before he lead his country in scoring in the world cup. He’s scored 8 goals in 11 games since he joined us. You need your head checked.
I’ll not weigh in on the debt because to be honest, I dont know enough about it other than what I’ve read which is mainly reports rather than facts.
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