Sir Alex Ferguson still believes in me, insists Manchester United outcast Bebe

Jan 16, 2013 11:15:00 PM

The 22-year-old winger has struggled to break into the first-team squad at Old Trafford, but believes his loan deal at Portuguese club Rio Ave will propel him into the spotlight

Manchester United outcast Bebe has insisted that Sir Alex Ferguson still believes he has a future at Old Trafford despite failing to win a place in the first-team squad since joining in 2010.

The young forward was a surprise signing from Guimaraes, arriving in England as an almost complete unknown, and is yet to start a single Premier League game for United.

However, Bebe believes regular football on loan at Portuguese club Rio Ave is exactly what he needs after injuring his cruciate ligaments while on loan at Besiktas in 2011, and insists he has the ability to shine for his parent club.

"Sir Alex advised me to leave and find a club where I could play more often, so that I could make a great return in the future," he told reporters.

"Obviously something went wrong in the last phase of my career. I had a serious injury which thankfully I have fully recovered well from.

"I'm fine physically now. I was always training and playing. It's good to come here and I want to show what I can do."

Bebe got off to the perfect start for his loan club, scoring in his first appearance for the Portuguese side against Maritimo on January 9.

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German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

5:23 PM BST

Right, still plenty of time to go until kick-off, so why not get involved in our Champions League quiz on Twitter? Here's one to start you off:

After tonight, how many Champions League/European Cup finals will Bayern Munich have played in?

5:18 PM BST

Bayern, as already alluded to, are desperate to atone for defeat against Chelsea 12 months ago and one man who knows all about the agony and ecstasy of Champions League finals is former die Roten defender Samuel Kuffour. The Ghanaian beating the ground in fury after seeing his side concede twice in injury time at the end of the 1999 tournament decider against Manchester United remains one of the most memorable images in the competition’s history, so check out our exclusive interview with Kuffour, who would achieve redemption just two years later when Bayern edged out Valencia on penalties.

5:14 PM BST

However, who doesn't feel anything by admiration for Jupp Heynckes? The Bayern coach learned earlier this year that he would be replaced by former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola earlier this summer but did he let it affect him? Not a bit, with Heynckes now on the verge of a historic treble. Worth noting, too, that Heynckes, who led Madrid to the title in 1998 before being replaced by Fabio Capello, has never failed to reach the final of any Champions League in which he has taken part.

5:07 PM BST

Klopp, of course, is the new darling of the football media. It’s pretty damn impossible not to love a man who speaks so passionately - and amusingly - about the game. This week alone he admitted that so distraught was he by the news of Gotze’s imminent departure for Bayern, whom he views as the villain in a James Bond movie, that he had to cancel plans with his wife to attend a movie premiere because he didn’t want to have to talk to anyone. Seriously, how could any real football fan not be a 'Klopptomist'?!

5:03 PM BST

We’re still awaiting the confirmed line-ups but if you’re looking for the likely starting 11s, let me point you in the direction of our match preview. Also, if you want an excellent and entertaining analysis of tonight’s fascinating final, well, how does a James Richardson-hosted debate involving Jonathan Wilson and Paulo Sousa tickle your fancy? The prince of puns, a true titan of tactical thinking and a two-time Champions League winner - a veritable dream team, I think you'll agree.

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