United has reached agreement with Petro Athletico of Luanda to sign Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves – "Manucho."
The 24-year-old Angolan international striker, who has scored twice in 10 appearances for his country, has agreed personal terms and will join the Club in January on a 3-year agreement. An application for a work permit will be made in due course.
He was top goalscorer in the last two seasons of the GiraBola, finishing with 16 goals for Petro Luanda in 2006 and 15 goals this year. Manucho will be part of the Angolan squad for the African Nations Cup in January.
Sir Alex Ferguson is delighted by the new arrival, saying: “We have had Manucho here for a 3-week trial and have been impressed enough to offer him a 3-year contract.
"He is a tall, agile, quick forward and through contacts that Carlos [Queiroz] has was brought to our attention around six months ago”
Hopefully this transfer could have the "Ole" effect. WE got Ole when no one had herd of him and he turned out to be one of the most lethal and natural finisher (according to Roy Keane) the club has ever had..
Manucho began his football career at Flamenguinhos, a small youth football club from Terra Nova, Luanda, where he lived. Under the guidance of his coach and father, Alberto Gonçalves, Manucho plied his trade as a left winger, becoming one of the club's top stars.
Early career
Upon turning professional, Manucho signed for Benfica de Luanda, a mid-table club in the Angolan Girabola league. He then moved to Luanda-based side Petro Atlético, where he initially struggled to break into the team due to the presence of striker Flávio Amado. After Flávio joined Egyptian side Al-Ahly, Manucho established himself in the side becoming the top scorer of Girabola for the past two years with 16 and 15 goals in 2006 and 2007 respectively.
Manchester United
On 21 December2007, it was announced that Manucho had agreed, in principle, to sign for English Premier League champions Manchester United. He will join the club in January 2008 on a three-year contract, provided that he is given a work permit by the Home Office. Prior to the announcement, Manucho had been on a three-week trial with the Manchester club, during which time he managed to impress United manager Alex Ferguson enough to earn himself a contract.
Really looking forward to watch this lad play! I think we should really give him a chance ahead of Anelka or Berbatov as some pople are speculating their transres.
Manchester United new boy Manucho Goncalves is determined to break into the champions' first team.
The Angola international signed a three-year contract with United before Christmas after impressing during a three-week trial.
He is expected to link up with his Old Trafford team-mates after the African Cup of Nations, providing he secures a work permit.
The imposing striker admits his dream has become a reality and is looking forward to playing for the Red Devils.
Fan
"I have been a fan of Manchester United from when I was very young, so now I will work very hard to get into the first team," Manucho told MUTV.
"I am very happy to be here and I have worked very hard to make my dream a reality.
"I have found the adaptation easy because all the players have given me their support... and players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson all speak my language."
Though he is not expected to feature in the team this season, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping an open mind.
Progress
Ferguson said: "I think he'll need a few months to adjust. In saying that, he's done very well in training and you never know how players will progress.
"I said the same thing about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when he arrived. I thought I'd give him a year or two in the reserves, but after three or four games he was in the first team.
"It all boils down to the boy himself, how he adapts to the change and how he commits himself to learning. Every young player has to learn."
Well, not pointing finger at you guys but in general the negativity show towards this signing is absolutely shameful. As far as I can remember, ferguson always hits the money shot when it comes to strikers, don't believe me? well lets mention a few shall we Ole, Yorke, Cole, Sheringham, Hughes, Cantona, Ruud, Forlan (wasn't prolific but scored a lot of important goals), rooney, tevez and saha etc.
I for one am so excited about this signing, i usually do get excited when an unknown quantity is signed and I have full faith in gaffers ability to spot talent. Adu had a trial with manutd and only lasted a freaking week, this lad on the other had had a 3 week trial and impressed in that, you must have something to impress fergie in a 3 freaking week trial. As you can see Fergie pointed out his attributes, strong, tall and pacey... doesn't that remind us of certain other african players (Drogba, Eto'o, Martins) lets hope he is in the same mould as some of the names mentioned before. And do remember last time we signed an unknown player he turned out to be a peach of a player, incase you are wondering who that is.. its none other than our Nemanja VIDIC!!
United sign "Manucho."
United sign "Manucho." -
12-21-2007, 08:52 AM
12-22-2007, 12:48 PM
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