Bebe says his move to Manchester United came too soon for him

The Portuguese forward, currently playing for Rayo Vallecano, is rated as one of Sir Alex Ferguson's worst signings

Bebe in training during his time at Manchester United (Getty Images)

Bebe has reportedly said that he arrived at Manchester United too early in his career and he would be a lot more successful if he joined the club now.

The Portuguese forward, currently on loan at Rayo Vallecano from Benfica, moved to Old Trafford for around £7.4million in 2010, despite being relatively unknown before the transfer.

Bebe proceeded to make seven first-team appearances for United over the course of his four years at the club, as well as going on loan three times.

The 25-year-old is remembered as one of Sir Alex Ferguson's worst signings but he now argues that, if he had made the move to Manchester much later in his career, it would have been a different story.

“It left me good and bad memories, in this case because of the injuries,” he reportedly told A Bola.

“I arrived there when I was 19, didn't speak a word in English but I dealt with it alone, went out to buy clothes and food and could manage to make them understand me.

“I learned a lot, everyone came to me to help, things didn't go well, I could have enjoyed it a bit more but I don't regret,” he added.

“It's not easy to go from the Portuguese third division to one of the best clubs in the world. If it happened now, with what I know, it would be different."

Bebe has enjoyed regular playing time with Vallecano this season but has failed to find prolific form, with just three goals in 29 appearances this season.

The Portuguese forward has four assists to his name this term and most recently set-up fellow United outcast Manucho to score a consolation goal in the La Liga club's 5-1 defeat to league leaders Barcelona.