The new era that was supposed to begin at Old Trafford last summer did not go exactly to plan. Two men who were not regular features of David Moyes’ disastrous campaign in charge of Manchester United were Anderson and Bebe. With both players having a year left on their contracts with the club, the Manchester Evening News discussed the possibility of them having a role under incoming manager Louis van Gaal.
In the case of Bebe, his future most likely lies away from the club. What is interesting about the player, though, is that United were willing to spend around £7 million on him when he was just 20 years of age. Although the deal is considered to be one of the Red Devils’ more bizarre transfers in recent times, Bebe must have shown glimpses of something to make United go and sign him. Despite failing to make an impact in his two previous loan spells, last season the Portuguese forward scored 12 goals in just 27 league games for Pacos de Ferrerira in his homeland. That impressive tally gives him a chance of being considered for United, but the fact that he turns 24 this month means he is very much in the last chance saloon.
The fee United paid for a 19-year-old Anderson back in 2007 was reportedly around £20 million. The player has quite simply not justified his price since then, with the 24 Premier League games from his debut campaign remaining the most he has played in one season. The seven years he has been at Old Trafford seems like an eternity, with time not necessarily flying for the midfielder who has always been on the periphery of the first team. It does not seem likely that Anderson will be a regular starter for United next season having just spent six months on loan at Fiorentina, but anything is possible in football.
The Red Devils will no doubt be considering their options regarding Anderson and Bebe. Both players are young enough to move on and make a success out of their careers, but they have one last chance to try and do that with Manchester United.