Former Manchester United striker Manucho, once tipped as another gem unearthed by Sir Alex Ferguson, has insisted he has no regrets about how his career panned out. The Angolan forward, full name Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves, was handed a three-week trial at United in 2008.
From obscurity to Old Trafford
Coming from obscurity in Angola, there was plenty of intrigue surrounding the forward after he impressed enough against the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in training to be awarded a contract at England's biggest club. Ferguson's assistant at the time, Carlos Queiroz, had persuaded the Scot to grant the then-24-year-old a trial period in a move which would be unthinkable today.
Ferguson said: "He is a tall, agile, quick forward and through contacts that Carlos has, was brought to our attention around six months ago." Despite already boasting a wealth of world-class attacking options, namely Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, United needed a back-up striker, owing to Louis Saha's fitness issues.
A star at the Africa Cup of Nations
After signing for United, Manucho fired Angola to the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with four goals, earning him a place in the tournament's best XI ahead of Samuel Eto'o. Off the back of that, The Manchester Evening News published a story on Manucho, which read: "All the signs suggest Sir Alex Ferguson has unearthed another gem in new signing Manucho. The Angolan striker is fast becoming the story of the African Cup of Nations - setting alight a tournament that features global stars such as Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and Michael Essien."
Ferguson was also impressed, commenting: "It is always difficult to assess, but there is good potential there. He has good assets, so there is something to work on. If we can get the work permit, we can map out a future for him."
Work permit woes and a fleeting career
The work permit mentioned was one of the key factors in Manucho's time at United not working out. The initial application was rejected by the Home Office, which saw the forward sent on an initial six-month loan to Greek club Panathinaikos. Manucho's work permit was finally approved that summer, but a metatarsal injury denied him the chance to make the first impression he wanted.
In September 2008, Manucho finally made his debut for United in the Carling Cup against Middlesbrough. He made his Premier League bow during a 5-0 win over Stoke, where he played 16 minutes and set up a goal for Danny Welbeck. However, following that dream debut, he never played for the Red Devils again in the Premier League.
Hull offered him a lifeline in the January window by signing him on a six-month loan as they attempted to maintain their top-flight status, but the Angolan managed just two goals in 17 appearances. By the time his loan stint ended, Ferguson had made up his mind that the forward didn't have a future at Old Trafford.
Life after United
Manucho sealed a permanent move to Real Valladolid in 2009 and went on to play over 100 times for the Spanish outfit, before doing the same for Rayo Vallecano after further loans at Bucaspor and Manisaspor. He called time on his professional career back in 2019 after leaving Cornella, having scored 22 goals across 53 games with Angola.
Yet, the former striker was adamant in a 2023 interview looking back on his career that he had no regrets over his United stint, telling others that their dreams can also come true. Sharing a snap of his time playing at United, Manucho said: "Never stop dreaming. If I could, you can too. Never stop fighting to get your dreams."
