Manchester United misfit Bebe breaks Besiktas curfew to cast future into doubt

 

Ian Herbert
Thursday 19 April 2012 11:06 BST
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Besiktas had the option to buy Bebe but may choose to return him to United
Besiktas had the option to buy Bebe but may choose to return him to United (Getty Images)

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The unhappy Manchester United career of Bebe, one of the most peculiar signings of Sir Alex Ferguson's 25 years as manager, has taken another twist with the Turkish side Besiktas indicating he might have played his last game for them after his breach of a club curfew.

The 21-year-old, who joined United for £7m, has played only three times for the Istanbul team, whose loan deal came with the option of a £2m option to buy. A permanent move now appears in grave doubt and United may be forced to seek alternatives for a player who also appeared only three times for United last season after looking out of his depth. The Portuguese broke what appears to have been a 2.30am curfew by staying out at a nightclub until 5.30am on Sunday night. Coach Tayfur Havutcu has subsequently indicated that Bebe's season in Turkey may now be over.

Havutcu, who replaced Carlos Carvalhal earlier this month, has cracked down since his side lost 2-0 to Galatasaray the day after the curfew breach. Bebe, Sidnei and Julio Alves have all been ordered to train away from the rest of the squad.

"This is no place to holiday," Havutcu said. "Besiktas have rules which players must obey. It is not allowed, except in reasonable hours, to be outside nightclubs. At this stage, it is not possible to say how long the penalty of training alone will last. It could be one week or until the end of the [season]. It depends on their performance [in training]."

Bebe's move hit trouble from the start, when a cruciate ligament injury sustained with the Portugal Under-21 side ruled him out for six months. He only made his return for the side on 26 March, in a 2-2 draw with Belediyespor.

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