Manchester United forward Bebe has joined Turkish heavyweights Besiktas on a season-long loan, the English champions have confirmed.

The 20-year-old Portuguese has made just seven first-team appearances since his surprise move to Old Trafford from Vitoria last summer.

Bebe had been at the club just five weeks and not even played a game for them when United swooped in a £7.4m deal.

Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson later admitted Bebe was the first player he had signed without having even seen him play on television.

Bebe scored for United in both the League Cup and the UEFA Champions League, and netted six times in 13 games for the reserves.

United believe the move to Besiktas for the duration of the 2011/12 campaign will aid his development.