• Portugal international is on loan at Rayo Vallecano from Benfica • ‘I have the same way of running, and the same shooting style’

The former Manchester United striker Bébé has raised some eyebrows after suggesting his game has similarities with that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is also a Portuguese ex-United forward – and the parallels between the two men would appear to end there.

Bébé’s stint with the club began in the summer of 2010 – a year on from Ronaldo having departed as one of their greatest ever players – and he went on to make only seven appearances for the Red Devils, scoring two goals, before leaving in 2014.

Bébé ends nightmare spell at Manchester United by joining Benfica Read more

The 25-year-old cost a reported £7m from Vitória de Guimarães, spent time on loan from United at Besiktas, Rio Ave and Pacos de Ferreira and is widely regarded as one of the worst signings in the Old Trafford club’s history. His next stop was Benfica, from whom he is now on loan at Rayo Vallecano.

In an interview with the Spanish newspaper AS, Bébé said when asked who his idol was: “(Didier) Drogba, but also Cristiano because he’s Portuguese. I have the same way of running, and the same shooting style; he’s definitely a favourite.”

Bébé admits he initially thought it was a “joke” when he heard United wanted to sign him and that it was “insane” being one of their players – but he insists he enjoyed the experience.

“It all happened very quickly, a total surprise,” he said. “One day I’m training and the next they’re telling me that I’m going to sign a five-year contract with Manchester United. I thought it was a joke. I wasn’t there long, but I enjoyed it.

“It was insane. I was playing with the best in the world. It wasn’t easy, the first week I had to take a deep breath, but I got used to it. I adapted and tried to fit in.”

He added: “I came there without much of a football education, just what I was born with: talent, speed, strength ... but you needed more. If a big club signed me now it’d be different.”