“Every day I called my agent to get me out” - When Portuguese forward recalled leaving Manchester United as ‘best moment’ of his life

Former Manchester United forward Bebe once claimed that leaving the club was the 'best moment' of his entire life. The winger claimed that he wasn't happy with the lack of gametime despite being at one of the best, if not the best, clubs in world football at the time.

Just weeks after he was recruited by Liga Portugal side Vitoria from lower league outfit CF Estrela, Bebe was signed by Manchester United for a reported £7.2 million fee in August 2010. A massive fee for a relatively unknown talent at the time, the move was not only surprising to the footballing world, but also to Bebe himself.

Speaking to GOAL in 2018, the forward, who was born in Portugal but represents Cabo Verde internationally, said (via Mirror):

"It wasn’t that (I didn’t believe in myself), I just know what life is like and I think anyone would have the same thought as me. If you are playing in the third or fourth division in Portugal and suddenly one of the best teams in the world calls you, I think anyone would think ‘can this actually be true?'"

Bebe would spend just one full season at Manchester United (2010-11), with two goals in seven appearances. He spent the next few years on loan at clubs like Besiktas, Rio Ave and Pacos de Ferreira before moving permanently to Benfica in 2014.

Elaborating on his frustration at Old Trafford, Bebe said:

"Every day I called my agent to ask him to get me out. It was a bad time. When you do not play, even if you are at a great club, then you are not happy, so why continue? I remember that I was going for a United game with the youth team, and my agent called me and told me I had been sold to Benfica. It was the best moment of my life."

Bebe eventually found a permanent home at LaLiga outfit Rayo Vallecano, racking up 24 goals and 17 assists in 187 appearances for the club.

"Gave me everything" - Bebe expresses gratitude towards Manchester United despite being happy upon leaving the club

Former Manchester United attacker Bebe claimed that the Premier League giants gave him 'everything' that he desired growing up.

The 34-year-old had a hard childhood, being abandoned by his parents and left to grow up in an orphanage. Despite his move to United not working out, he was handed a huge opportunity to make his mark on the global footballing stage.

In the aforementioned interview, he expressed his gratitude towards Manchester United, saying (via Mirror):

"I can’t regret something that has given me so much food, that changed my life and the life of my family. United gave me everything. That’s where everything started for me. I could have a car, a house, I could buy things that I couldn’t have bought before. I could help my family and friends in things they couldn’t do... I do not regret anything. It was a very good decision from me and my agent."

Having departed LaLiga side Rayo Vallecano upon the expiration of his contract in the summer, Bebe currently plays for LaLiga 2 side Racing de Ferrol.