Angolan striker Manucho has spoken of his delight at securing a deal that should see the 24-year-old join the Reds after January's African Cup of Nations.
The centre-forward, who has topped the Angola league's scoring charts for the past two seasons playing with Petro Atletico Luanda, told MUTV he's living in dreamland after agreeing to a move to Old Trafford.
"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 said.
"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 [Portuguese]."
Although Manucho's work permit still needs to be granted, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is confident the player has the necessary traits to make an impact in the Barclays Premier League.
"He's a very quick, aggressive forward, a big lad about 6"2'," Sir Alex told MUTV. "We've had him on trial for three weeks and he's done very well. We're delighted to have made an agreement with his football team."
Manucho isn't expected to see much first-team action this season, although Sir Alex conceded it all depends on how well he settles into life at United.
"I think he'll need a few months to adjust," he said. "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."
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Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Manchester United Vs. Everton Match Preview
Manchester United new boy Nani is convinced a Premier League and Champions League double is a possibility for the Old Trafford outfit this season. The £17million Portugal international is adapting to life with the Red Devils following his summer arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Such is the huge strength of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad at present that the 21-year-old did not even make the bench for Sunday's win at Liverpool, even though he has been an effective performer when called upon and scored a hugely important winner against Tottenham earlier in the season. Having always known he would not play that often during his debut campaign, Nani is content with his impact so far.
And he remains optimistic he can end the season with a very impressive medal collection. ``I know it will be very difficult to win both trophies,'' he said. ``But I also know it is is possible because Manchester United have a great team and a fantastic squad and we play good football. ``The Premier League is hard because although Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are the teams you expect to be at the top, you do not get one easy game.
``There are certain teams you watch on TV and think it will not be that hard against them. But when you actually meet them on the pitch, it is a completely different matter. They all seem to try really hard because they are playing Manchester United.'' United already know they will face French opposition in the last 16 of the Champions League next spring and no doubt hope they will enjoy similar success against six-times champions Lyon as they did against Lille 12 months ago.
For now, the Red Devils are concentrating their energies on retaining their title, the pursuit of which continues against Everton at Old Trafford on Sunday. It may be 15 years since the Toffeemen last recorded an away win over United but with 11 wins among a current 13-game unbeaten run, David Moyes' men represent a formidable hurdle to overcome.
Nani will hope to be involved, having made steady progress at United so far, aided by the presence of fellow countryman and good friend Cristiano Ronaldo. ``Having Cristiano around has really helped me,'' said the Amadora-born player. ``At the start, it was quite hard and I didn't speak English at all. But when I didn't understand something, he could tell me what has been said.
``I am very good friends with Cristiano and have been for a long time. But the entire squad gets on and now, I speak a little bit of English, we joke all the time.'' Nani's mastery of the English language is improving in tandem with his play. However, he is now having to get used to the long-held British tradition of festive football. Even if he is not involved against Everton, it is virtually certain Nani will figure in a packed fortnight which also includes trips to Sunderland and West Ham, plus a New Year's Day encounter with Birmingham before the FA Cup match with Aston Villa on January 5.
For a player who is used to putting his feet up and relaxing at this time of year, the sheer volume of matches has come as a major shock. ``It will be a different type of Christmas Day for me that is for sure,'' he said. ``In Portugal we never play at this time of year. Here we have five games. It is unbelievable, crazy.'' Read more...Friday, December 21, 2007
Edwin agrees new deal
Edwin van der Sar has agreed terms for a year's contract extension which will keep at the club until the summer of 2009.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper has excelled in his position as United's top stopper since joining in June 2005. And Sir Alex is delighted to have secured van der Sar's services for a further 12 months.
"Edwin has agreed a new contract for another year," Sir Alex revealed on Friday. "It'll be totally as a player [rather than as a coach]. We're delighted at that because his consistency and experience has been a great help to this club.
"There is great competition for places amongst our goalkeepers. I'm sure Edwin will want to stay as our number one, but Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak will give him a good challenge."
There had been suggestions in the media that van der Sar could take over as goalkeeping coach following Tony Coton's knee operation. But Sir Alex confirmed that Coton will be staying on at Old Trafford, contrary to those reports.
"Tony hasn't left," he declared. "He had a bad knee injury as a player and has recently had another big operation.
"We've told him to just wait and see how he is when he's fully recovered. It's far too early to be making decisions about his situation, because you can make good recoveries from operations like this. The important thing for Tony to know is that he'll have a place at the club whatever happens." Read more...
The 37-year-old goalkeeper has excelled in his position as United's top stopper since joining in June 2005. And Sir Alex is delighted to have secured van der Sar's services for a further 12 months.
"Edwin has agreed a new contract for another year," Sir Alex revealed on Friday. "It'll be totally as a player [rather than as a coach]. We're delighted at that because his consistency and experience has been a great help to this club.
"There is great competition for places amongst our goalkeepers. I'm sure Edwin will want to stay as our number one, but Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak will give him a good challenge."
There had been suggestions in the media that van der Sar could take over as goalkeeping coach following Tony Coton's knee operation. But Sir Alex confirmed that Coton will be staying on at Old Trafford, contrary to those reports.
"Tony hasn't left," he declared. "He had a bad knee injury as a player and has recently had another big operation.
"We've told him to just wait and see how he is when he's fully recovered. It's far too early to be making decisions about his situation, because you can make good recoveries from operations like this. The important thing for Tony to know is that he'll have a place at the club whatever happens." Read more...
Manucho Gonçalves
Full name: Manuel Alberto Contreiras GonçalvesDate of birth: March 7, 1984
Place of birth: Luanda, Angola
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Playing position: Striker
Previous Club: Petro Atletico
National Team: Angola
History: As a youngster Manucho started his football at a small football club and one of the only football academies in Angola, situated in a rural area of the city of Luanda called Terra Nova (nicknamed Terrex) where he also lived. This club was called Flamenguinhos, and with close supervision of his father and mentor Coach Alberto Gonçalves and Coach Nelo, Manucho rose to become a formidable left side winger and one of the stars of club.
Early Career: Manucho's recent professioal career started in Benfica de Luanda, a midtable club of the Angolan Girabola league. He then moved to Luanda based side Petro Atlético were he initially struggled to find a place due to the presence of striker Flávio Amado. After Flávio joined Egyptian outfit 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. Read more...
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