Man Utd thought that they had unearthed a gem when they signed Manucho in 2008, but he hardly played for the club.
Sir Alex Ferguson poses with Manucho.(Image: 2007 Manchester United)
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"I know that Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez are big players, but I've worked hard to get here. I will prove myself," said Manucho after signing for Manchester United in December 2008.
There was intrigue when United's deal for Manucho was announced following a successful three-week trial, during which the striker went toe-to-toe with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in training at Carrington.
United had followed Angolan forward Manucho for a few months before Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant, Carlos Queiroz, persuaded the Scot to give him a trial period to show what he could do.
“We have had Manucho here for trial and have been impressed enough to offer him a contract,” said Ferguson. "He is a tall, agile, quick forward and through contacts that Carlos has, was brought to our attention."
In the space of a few weeks, the 24-year-old had been plucked from Angola and had been given a contract with England's biggest club.
United needed a back up striker due to concerns over Louis Saha's fitness, and Ferguson decided to offer Manucho a contract before the Africa Cup of Nations in case he took the competition by storm.
Manucho was one of the players of the tournament, scoring in Angola's opener to earn a draw with South Africa, before netting twice as his side came from behind to beat much-fancied Senegal 3-1 in their second group match.
He fired Angola to the quarter-finals, a huge result for his nation, and netted again in a 2-1 defeat to eventual winners Egypt, with his four goals at AFCON earning him a place in the tournament's best XI.
Samuel Eto'o scored five goals, but he was pipped by Manucho for a place in that XI, and Didier Drogba could only manage three goals for the Ivory Coast.
Manucho celebrates his goal against Egypt in the AFCON quarter-finals.(Image: Getty Images)
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The Manchester Evening News splashed a story on Manucho in the newspaper, reading: "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, saying: “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."
The signing did not work out as everybody hoped, though, as Manucho was handed just 42 minutes across three appearances for United before leaving the club 18 months after his arrival from Angola.
The work permit that Ferguson mentioned after AFCON was one of the 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 a six-month loan to Greek club Panathinaikos.
"He will get games there," Ferguson said after his loan exit. "They have a Portuguese coach, Jose Peseiro, and as Manucho speaks Portuguese, it is comfortable for him. Then we will apply for a work permit in the summer."
Manucho scored four goals in nine appearances for Panathinaikos, but he felt he deserved more game time. "It was a good experience," he said on his return to England. "Had I played more games, I believe I could have scored more goals and silenced those who still doubt my qualities."
Vidic and Manucho battle during training.(Image: 2008 Manchester United)
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United ended 2007/2008 by winning the Premier League and Champions League, which only added to Manucho's eagerness to get the permit issue sorted to join up with some of the best players in the world.
"The club is dealing with the work-permit process. I have been asked to turn up on July 1 for pre-season," he stated while away on international duty.
"Since the end of the Greek league, I have been in contact with United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz and I know that things are going well. I am not thinking about wearing a shirt other than that of United. I am just thinking about playing in the Champions League next season."
Manucho's work permit was finally approved that summer. "We're delighted to have him," then United Chief Executive David Gill said. "He's 25 years old and has got a lot of great attributes. You only need to look at the goals he scored at the African Nations Cup to see that and I think he brings something different to the team.
"He's got a little injury at the moment, but we're looking forward to him getting fit and showing us what he can do. He's a great prospect."
It was always going to be tough for Manucho to break into the team, given the talent Ferguson had in attack, but a metatarsal injury denied him the chance to make the first impression he wanted.
Manucho embraces Ronaldo in November 2008.(Image: 2008 Getty Images)
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He made his debut for United in September 2008, coming on as a substitute for Ryan Giggs in the Carling Cup against Middlesbrough, and made two further substitute appearances against Stoke and Blackburn.
The writing was on the wall for Mauncho, who wanted to play, but 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.
Manucho scored two goals in 17 appearances for Hull, the highlight of which was a last-minute winner against Fulham, as the Tigers eventually avoided relegation on the final day of the campaign.
United lost to Barcelona in the Champions League final at the end of the season. Ronaldo and Tevez departed for Real Madrid and Manchester City respectively, but Ferguson did not see a future for Manucho at United.
The striker signed for Spanish club Valladolid on a five-year contract. Manucho would see out those years on his contract, but he left on loan to Bucaspor and Manisapor before signing for Rayo Vallecano in 2014.
It was with Rayo Vallecano that Manucho won the first trophy of his career, as they won the Segunda Division title in his final season at the club.
He called time on his playing career in 2019, but he's still involved in football today, living in the United States and working as president of Maine Legends FC.
It didn't work out for Manucho in Manchester, but his career in football has taken him around the world.