Manchester United’s new signing, Angolan striker Manucho Goncalves will have to wait to make his Premier League debut, and is now set for a loan-move to Greek side Panathinaikos, who are looking to seal a six-month loan for the talented Angolan forward.
The move to Old Trafford for the 24-year-old forward has hit a setback after the relevation that he is likely to be refused a British work permit because, under current ruling, he doesn’t qualify because he hasn’t played enough games for his country.
24-year-old Manuel Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves - known simply as 'Manucho' first impressed United's Assistant Manager Carlos Queiroz while featuring for his country in the African Cup of Nations in January 2008 and was recently brought to England for trials.
Manchester United thought that they had secured Manucho on a three-year deal his successful trial with the Red Devils.
He has been a prolific goal-scorer for his club Petro Atlético and a key player for Angola, earning 10 caps and scoring two goals to help his country in their successful qualification campaign for the 2008 African Cup of Nations.
But unless Angola reach the finals of The African Cup of Nations in January, he will not be eligible for a work-permit, with the United manager hoping that Angola’s Palancas Negras are successful in the African tournament.
"We hope he does well in the African Nations Cup because, as it is at the moment, he has to play enough games to qualify for a work permit," said the United manager.
"We have had him in for three weeks, and he has done exceptionally well. He has done very well training with the first team and playing in a couple of practice matches."
But today his father Alberto Gonçalves, who is also his agent, admitted that it is unlikely that Angola will reach the finals and that his son will have to play elsewhere until he is eligible for the work permit, with Panathinaikos now the most likely destination.
Panathinaikos manager José Peseiro worked with Carlos Quieroz at Real Madrid and has a close relationship with the Spaniard.
Now Peseiro is close to securing a six-month loan deal for Manucho, with the Angolan likely to make his full move to Manchester United in the summer.
Alberto Gonçalves, speaking to Greek newspaper ‘SportDay’ confirmed the loan to the Athens side, saying: "Panathinaikos has spoken with Manchester United and I know there is a deal for a 6 months loan."
source : www.premiershiplatest.com
