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Bebe to make most of United chance

MANCHESTER, August 18 – Bebe admits even he was surprised about his move to Manchester United but the striker is determined to take his chance at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese forward, 20, made the 7.4 million pounds move from Vitoria de Guimaraes just five weeks after he joined them from Estrela da Amadora.

And only a week after he first became aware of United’s interest, Bebe signed for the Old Trafford club.

Bebe, speaking to reporters at Old Trafford here on Tuesday, said following in the footsteps of Portuguese stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani was also a big factor in the move.

"I feel good. It is an opportunity that has been given to me and now I have to grab it and work very hard," Bebe said.

"It was one week from hearing about interest to signing.

"I have always wanted to play in a foreign team either United or Chelsea but a team like Man United is a dream come true for any player.

"The Portuguese factor at Old Trafford was a motivation for me. There were very big names like Cristiano Ronaldo who has played here and is a very big player now.

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"Also Nani and Anderson, I want to become like them and I will work hard to become a top quality player.

"I know all big players have to play with a lot of pressure on them and I’m going to try to do the same."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, also unveiling Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling, revealed Bebe was the first player he’d signed without even seeing on television.

Ferguson said United had to move quickly to head off interest from Real Madrid and Benfica, with his scouts persuading him to send chief executive David Gill to Portugal to do the deal.

"I didn’t see any videos of him, it’s the first time," Ferguson said. "Normally, as in the case of Javier and Chris, I see plenty of video footage of them.

"You’ve got to trust your staff at times and our scout in Portugal was adamant we must do something quickly.

"So I sent my chief scout and David Gill down there to do the deal. You’d have to ask Real how interested they were but I know they were hovering and so were Benfica.

"So were one or two other clubs and that’s where you have to make quick decisions in life and I’m not too bad about that.

"I also spoke to (former United assistant manager) Carlos Queiroz about him.

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"Sometimes you have to go on an instinct, you look at material. You look at their age and whether they’re bringing pace, balance, desire to play and things like that."

Hernandez has already made a huge impression since joining from Chivas in pre-season, including a goal in the 3-1 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield.

The Mexican made his Premier League debut in the 3-0 Premier League victory over Newcastle on Monday and feels he is settling in to life in England.

"It was wonderful on Monday night to play at Old Trafford for United in this league," Hernandez said. "It was unbelievable.

"I am here now and I want to enjoy it a lot and take this opportunity and to grow up as a human and as a player. Most importantly, I want to win things.

"When I was young I always liked this league. I always wanted to play here. I am very happy I got this opportunity.

"I also want to open doors to players in Mexico to allow the important teams over here might look at other players from my country.

"While his beginnings are not quite as humble as Bebe’s, Smalling has also come a long way in a short space of time.

The 20-year-old defender was playing non-league football with Maidstone just a couple of years ago before moving to Fulham and joining United in pre-season.

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"It doesn’t happen a lot these days where a non-league player comes through to professional football," Smalling said. "There is a lot of money being thrown around to buy players.

"But there are examples for young players in those divisions that if you work hard and take your chance, the chances are still there."

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