26. Manucho

After Manucho's memorable displays for his native Angola in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Sir Alex Ferguson could breathe a sigh of relief. He would not have to battle it out with his Premier League rivals for the striker's services as Manucho was already a Red.

Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves, or Manucho to his team-mates, signed a three-year deal with United after impressing during a three-week trial in December 2007. Before arriving at Old Trafford, the towering striker was the leading scorer in the top Angolan division, the Girabola, for two seasons, netting 16 goals in 2006/07 and 15 in 2005/06.


His impressive form continued at international level and he played a starring role during Angola's Africa Cup of Nations campaign in January 2008. He opened the scoring in their first game against South Africa and struck another two goals in their 3-1 win over Senegal four days later. He also found the net in the 2-1 defeat to Egypt, firing a 30-yard screamer into the top-left corner. Although the result meant Angola were eliminated from the tournament, Manucho was named in the competition's overall best XI.

While United applied for Manucho's work permit, Sir Alex loaned him out to Panathinaikos in Greece for the latter part of the 2007/08 season. It proved to be a successful move as the striker gained valuable experience. He scored on his league debut in the 2–0 home win over Larissa and when Panathinaikos finished third, he scored three goals in six play-off games to help them reach the qualifying rounds of the 2008/09 Champions League.

Manucho’s application for a work permit was finally granted in August 2008, enabling him to start his dream career at Old Trafford, initially in the reserves. The Angolan eventually made his senior debut in the Carling Cup, as a late substitute for Ryan Giggs in the third round win over

Middlesbrough on 23 September 2008. He also made his Barclays Premier League debut as a sub, in the 5-0 win against Stoke City two months later.

The striker made several appearances and scored one league goal (a header against Everton) for the reserves before Sir Alex decided he needed another loan spell, this time in the Premier League. Manucho moved to Hull City in January 2009 for the remainder of the season. Making his Hull debut in a home defeat by Arsenal, he scored a significant first goal for the Tigers against Fulham - a last-minute winner at Craven Cottage on 4 March 2009.