Could everyone’s favourite winger still have an Old Trafford Career?
The enigmatic winger was a thorn in his opponent’s side and gave a lung-busting performance as his side benefited from two own goals which kept them at fifth in the league and further widened the gap over Lisbon to six points.
Speaking after the game, Bebe said: “I feel like I helped the team.”
“But everyone was important. I feel important here because I can play regularly. I hope to keep in shape, keep helping Rio Ave until the end of the season and return to Manchester United, which is my club.”
New signing Wilfried Zaha played his first game for Crystal Palace since becoming a Manchester United player and he showed the scrutinising onlookers what Sir Alex Ferguson saw in him with a confident display with flicks and tricks aplenty. Palace came from behind to beat South London rivals Charlon 2-1 and Zaha almost added to his goal tally as he drove an effort off target and Stuart O’Keefe headed his cross wide as Palace put Charlton under pressure. The 20-year-old then had an effort from the edge of the penalty box which went wide of the right-hand upright.
In the Premier League, Fabio was substituted after suffering an impact injury after colliding with Elliott Bennett in QPR’s draw with Norwich. It was the sort of challenge you would have seen Rafael go into and come off worse and if Fabio is to emulate his twin and win a place in the United starting eleven, he will need to be smarter when storming into 50-50 balls. His side did keep a clean sheet but failed to find the net in their struggle to stay in the top flight. Before his 74th minute exit, Fabio put in a good shift; attacking and defending equally well. He brought the ball forward from left-back and crossed into the box on occasion but to no avail. He later made a good block from a Grant Holt shot and then stopped Bennett from getting his shot away which led to his eventual removal.
Meanwhile, Wigan loanee Angelo Henriquez saw just two minutes of action during the Latics’ 2-2 draw with Southampton. His side had looked like they were going to end up empty handed, but Shaun Maloney’s late equaliser gave manager Roberto Martinez the hope he could steal a win. This was evident by the decision to bring Henriquez on for midfielder James McCarthy but the Chilean wasn’t afforded an opportunity to make an impact.
Kiko Macheda made his Bundesliga debut for Stuttgart, coming on as a second half substitute in their 3-1 loss to Fortuna Dusseldorf. The Italian forward was introduced to add some energy to his team’s lacklustre showing and they managed to cut the deficit by half before Dusseldorf made sure of the points through Oliver Fink later on. Macheda will be hoping his 45-minute run-out will be enough for a starting berth next time out against Werder Bremen.
Michael Keane is growing more and more comfortable into the Leicester City team and the 20-year-old was instrumental in the Foxes’ 2-1 win against Wolves on Thursday night. Keane kept ex-Red Sylvan Ebanks-Blake quiet and did well to get a foot on one of the striker’s powerful shots which ricocheted onto the post instead as his team hung on for a vital victory in their promotion push.
Both Scott Wootton and Davide Petrucci did not get in on the action in Peterborough’s 2-2 draw with Burnley. Wootton missed the game through injury while Petrucci had to endure a frustrating afternoon on the bench. Luke McCullough was also looking on from the bench in Cheltenham Town’s 2-1 success against Torquay United.
Luke Giverin performed well in midfield for Royal Antwerp but the Belgian Second Division lost 2-1 at home to Vise.