Manchester United Chose to Sign Bebe Over Eden Hazard - Report

The latest revelation from Sir Alex Ferguson's newly published autobiography suggests Manchester United may have overlooked the opportunity to sign Chelsea star Eden Hazard in favour of Portuguese misfit Bebe.

The Portuguese forward signed for United in 2010 for a curiously exorbitant fee of £7.4m having played very little football at a professional level prior to the move, a move that mystified fans and commentators alike.

Since then, the 23-year-old has made just two appearances for the Premier League champions before embarking on a string of unsuccessful loan spells in Portugal and Turkey.

And in quotes from Ferguson's book published by Portuguese outlet A Bola, the former United boss reveals the club were initially so impressed with Bebe that they dropped their interest in Hazard who would go on to sign for the Blues for £30m in the summer of 2012.

"With feet like his, Bebe was able to score 20 goals per season," Abola quote from Ferguson's autobiography. "We saw Hazard, but instead hired Bebe. Who would have bet that would not work? It is clear he had a difficult childhood wandering the streets of Lisbon."

Having won Ligue 1's Young Player of the Year award while starring for Lille, Hazard became one of Europe's most sought after talents. Reports at the time of his imminent transfer suggested the inventive midfielder had the choice of moves to either Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge, before the Belgian international revealed his decision through his Twitter account following Chelsea's Champions League success.

He has since gone from strength to strength in west London, winning a spot in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year last season as he scored 13 goals in his maiden campaign in England.

Meanwhile, Bebe joined Pacos de Ferreira in his native Portugal on a season long loan in September, where he has made two league appearances, scoring once.