How a Man Utd flop rose from the ashes to be an AFCON star

A former Manchester United player gained the unwanted reputation of being a flopped signing but is now shaking off that label by proving himself to be a hero at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, better known by his nickname Bebe was the subject of much defamation after his move to Old Trafford did not work out in the he would perhaps would have hope it to, with some even going as far as labelling his move a "conspiracy".

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Where it all began 

The now 33-year-old is said to have been a semi-pro footballer before joining top flight Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes where he spent just one month before making the shock move to Old Trafford in 2010.

It was reported that Sir Alex Ferguson had never even seen him play before signing him, and acted on the advice of assistant coach at the time Carlos Queiroz. 

That, however, turned out to be a mistake, evident in the fact that Bebe made just seven senior appearances for United. Although in 2013 he revealed why he believed his time at the Premier League giants did not work out. 

Speaking to Maisfutebol via Daily Mail, the winger said: "I never took Manchester United seriously and never understood a word about what Alex Ferguson was saying."I thought, 'I'm here, I'm doing well and I don't have to try hard every day.' It was my fault. I was messing around too much."

Life away from the Red Devil's whispers 

That realisation and accountability perhaps played a role in what he would go on to achieve during his career. In 2014, the Cape Verde international left United to join Portuguese club SL Benfica and was sent out in loan in January after making just one league appearance for the LIGA NOS side. The loan departure would prove to be beneficial as he made 18 appearances for Cordoba CF. 

What followed was a whirlwind of ins and outs for the attacker who struggled to find a club he could call home. His time was split between various clubs between 2015 and 2018.

It included a loan move to Rayo Vallecano, then a permanent deal saw him move to SD Eibar but after just a few months, he was sent back to Vallecano on loan before finding a home, choosing to sign a permanent deal with the Red Sashes who were convinced after having him on loan on two occasions. 

He would spend the next five years at the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas, helping them achieve promotion in 2018 and 2020. His time at the Spanish club is arguably the best period of his career. He made 182 appearances for them, netting 24 goals and amassing 17 assists. 

Success at AFCON

The 2023 edition of the tournament presented an opportunity to reinvent himself and repair his reputation, and thus far he has obliged. The 33-year-old has made two appearances in his nation's campaign that saw them pick up a shock 2-1 victory over Ghana, a 3-0 demolition of Mozambique and a 2-2 draw against African giants Egypt. 

Aside from being part of a tournament that his country will never forget, he also scored a 40-yard screamer that will be remembered for a long time to come. 

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