Manucho

Manucho started his un-orthadox rout to European football by turning out for home town youth club Flamenguinhos, which was run by his father.

In 1999 at the age of 17 the player signed professionally for Benfica De Luanda, where he scored five times in 12 appearances.

Three years later he moved to the bigger Petro Atletico, but struggled to hold down a first team place due to the presence of Angolan international Flavio. However, when Manucho's strike partner left for pastures new in 2005, he managed to establish himself as a first team regular.

On 21 December 2007 Manchester United announced that they would be signing the player, after he impressed during a three week trial at the club.

Things began to take off for Manucho in 2007 - footballing wise - as he made his international debut during qualification for the African Cup of Nations, however it wasn't until the finals of that Tournament in February 2008 that world could see what Sir Alex Ferguson and the Manchester United coaching staff saw in him.

During the tournament the player scored four times, including a superb 25 yard strike, which was deemd goal of the tournament. His impressive performances earned him a place in the African Cup of Nations "Best XI" alongside fellow strike Samuel Eto'o.

When he returned to Manchester United, after the tournament he was having difficulties in being granted a work permit, as he had not played enough times for Angola over the previous two years.

With the player unable to ply his trade in England, the club loaned him out to Greek side Panathinaikos, as Greece's immigration laws were less stringent.

The tall striker made succesful debut as his side ran out 2-0 winners against Larissa, with Manucho scoring the winner. The player went on to score a satisfactory 4 goals in 7 games during his debut season in Europe.

On 28 August 2008 Manucho was finally given a work permit by the Home Office and so could begin his English footballing career. However, due to the foot injury he picked up during pre-season, he didn't make his competitive debut until 23 September 2008, doing so in the 3-1 League Cup win over Middlesborough. A few weeks later he made his Premier League debut on 15 November 2008, when he replaced Carlos Tevez in the 5-0 home victory against Stoke, in which he set up Danny Welbeck for Manchester United's 4th.

During the first part of the 2008-09 season, after he failed to break into the first team, Sir Alex Ferguson decided the player needed to get used to the fast pace of English football and allowed the player to move to Hull City on loan for the remainder of the season.

Manucho made his Hull City debut in the 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Arsenal on 16 January 2008.

Manucho honours