Manucho
Encyclopedia
Mateus Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves (born 7 March 1983 in Luanda
), better known as Manucho, is an Angola
n footballer who currently plays for Real Valladolid
.
He moved from Petro Atletico
to Manchester United
in January 2008. Before playing a game for United, however, he was loaned out to Greek side Panathinaikos
for the remainder of the 2007–08 season, due to issues with obtaining a UK work permit. Manucho received a work permit soon after returning to Manchester United for pre-season training in July 2008, and made his debut for the club in the League Cup
against Middlesbrough
on 23 September 2008. Short of first team opportunities at Old Trafford
, however, on 16 January 2009 he joined Hull City
on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. Having failed to break into the Manchester United first team, Manucho joined Real Valladolid in July 2009. He is also a member of the Angolan national team
.
, a mid-table club in the Angolan league. He then moved to Luanda-based side Petro Atlético, where he initially struggled to break into the team due to the presence of striker Flávio Amado
. After Flávio joined Egyptian side Al-Ahly
, Manucho began to establish himself in the side, scoring 16 goals in 2006 and 15 in 2007.
On 21 December 2007, it was announced that Manucho had agreed to sign for English Premier League champions Manchester United
. He joined the club in January 2008 on a three-year contract. Prior to the announcement, Manucho had been on a three-week trial with the Manchester club, during which he managed to impress United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
enough to earn himself a contract.
team, Panathinaikos
, for the remainder of the 2007–08 season, due to complications obtaining a work permit, with a view to him gaining valuable first team experience. United manager Alex Ferguson announced on 1 February 2008 that Manucho had indeed been loaned out to Panathinaikos until the end of the season. The loan period began soon after Angola's elimination from the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations by Egypt.
Manucho scored on his league debut for Panathinaikos in a 2–0 home win over Larissa. Panathinaikos finished the Super League Greece 2007-08
season in 3rd place, qualifying the team for a play-off for the remaining European places. Manucho scored three goals in this six-game mini tournament, helping Panathinaikos to top the play-off group and qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League.
reported that Manucho had received a work permit earlier that summer, which was confirmed on the official website. Manucho was handed the number 26 shirt for the 2008–09 season. Although it was claimed he was carrying an injury and would not feature, he made his competitive first team debut as a substitute on 23 September 2008 in a League Cup Third Round tie at home to Middlesbrough. The game ended 3–1 to Manchester United. Manucho made his Premier League debut for Manchester United on 15 November 2008, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute for Carlos Tévez
in a home match against Stoke City
. Ten minutes after coming on, Manucho was involved in the build-up to United's fourth goal by Danny Welbeck
. On 18 December 2008, Manucho scored his first goal in a Manchester United shirt, heading home Magnus Eikrem
's cross to earn United's reserve side a 1–1 draw against Everton in a Reserve League North match.
on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. He received a renewed work permit later that day and appeared as a substitute in a 3–1 home defeat by Arsenal
on 17 January. On 4 March 2009, he scored his first Premier League goal, a last-minute winner for Hull City in a 1–0 away victory at Fulham
.
for the player's transfer. He signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club and was presented as a Real Valladolid player on 20 July 2009. On 13 September 2009 he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–2 defeat against Valencia CF
. Then he had to wait until 5 December 2009 for his next goal which earned them a vital point away to title challengers Sevilla CF.
After joining Valladolid, Manucho promised to score forty goals for the club. He scored four.
on a loan deal from Real Valladolid
.
.
In January 2008, he was named in the Angolan squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations
in Ghana
. He scored the opening goal in Angola's first game against South Africa
, and struck a further two goals in their second match against Senegal
in a 3–1 win. On 4 February, Manucho scored Angola's only goal in a 2–1 loss to Egypt. Although the result meant Angola were knocked out of the tournament, Manucho's 25-yard effort was described as "the goal of the tournament so far". At the end of the tournament, Manucho was included in the "Best XI", a team of the best players in each position.
In the African Cup Of Nations 2010 he scored from the penalty spot in the opening game for Angola in the 4-4 draw with Mali.
Luanda
Luanda, formerly named São Paulo da Assunção de Loanda, is the capital and largest city of Angola. Located on Angola's coast with the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is both Angola's chief seaport and its administrative center. It has a population of at least 5 million...
), better known as Manucho, is an Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
n footballer who currently plays for Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
.
He moved from Petro Atletico
Atlético Petróleos Luanda
Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, usually known as Petro Atlético Luanda, or simply Petro Atlético or Petro de Luanda, is a traditional football club from Luanda, Angola, founded in 1980...
to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in January 2008. Before playing a game for United, however, he was loaned out to Greek side Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
for the remainder of the 2007–08 season, due to issues with obtaining a UK work permit. Manucho received a work permit soon after returning to Manchester United for pre-season training in July 2008, and made his debut for the club in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
against Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
on 23 September 2008. Short of first team opportunities at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, however, on 16 January 2009 he joined Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. Having failed to break into the Manchester United first team, Manucho joined Real Valladolid in July 2009. He is also a member of the Angolan national team
Angola national football team
The Angola national football team, nicknamed Palancas Negras , is the national team of Angola and is controlled by the Federação Angolana de Futebol. Angola reached 45th in the FIFA Rankings in July 2002...
.
Career
Manucho began his football career at Flamenguinhos, a small youth football club from Terra Nova, Luanda, where he lived. Under the guidance of his coach and father, Alberto Gonçalves, Manucho plied his trade as a left winger, becoming one of the club's top stars.Early career
Upon turning professional, Manucho signed for Benfica de LuandaSport Luanda e Benfica
Sport Luanda e Benfica, usually known as Benfica de Luanda or simply as Benfica, is a football club from Luanda, Angola. The club is named after Sport Lisboa e Benfica, of Portugal, and shares the same colours. The logo is also very similar to the Portuguese one...
, a mid-table club in the Angolan league. He then moved to Luanda-based side Petro Atlético, where he initially struggled to break into the team due to the presence of striker Flávio Amado
Flávio Amado
Flávio da Silva Amado , better known as Flávio, is an Angolan football forward who most recently played for Lierse S.K in Belgium....
. After Flávio joined Egyptian side Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly
Al-Ahly Sports Club , commonly known as simply Al-Ahly, is an Egyptian sporting club. Founded in April 1907, Al-Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century"...
, Manucho began to establish himself in the side, scoring 16 goals in 2006 and 15 in 2007.
On 21 December 2007, it was announced that Manucho had agreed to sign for English Premier League champions Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He joined the club in January 2008 on a three-year contract. Prior to the announcement, Manucho had been on a three-week trial with the Manchester club, during which he managed to impress United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
enough to earn himself a contract.
Panathinaikos
On 31 January 2008, it was reported that Manucho was due to head out on loan to GreekGreece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
team, Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
, for the remainder of the 2007–08 season, due to complications obtaining a work permit, with a view to him gaining valuable first team experience. United manager Alex Ferguson announced on 1 February 2008 that Manucho had indeed been loaned out to Panathinaikos until the end of the season. The loan period began soon after Angola's elimination from the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations by Egypt.
Manucho scored on his league debut for Panathinaikos in a 2–0 home win over Larissa. Panathinaikos finished the Super League Greece 2007-08
Super League Greece 2007-08
2007-08 was the second season of the Super League's, and started on September 1, 2007. The defending champions were Olympiacos. Asteras Tripolis, Veria and Levadiakos were promoted from Beta Ethniki in the previous season.-Postponement:...
season in 3rd place, qualifying the team for a play-off for the remaining European places. Manucho scored three goals in this six-game mini tournament, helping Panathinaikos to top the play-off group and qualify for the second qualifying round of the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League.
Manchester United
At the end of the 2007–08 season, Manucho returned to Manchester United for pre-season training and the club's summer tour of South Africa. However, he had picked up a suspected metatarsal injury and was unable to play a part in the pre-season programme. In August 2008, the club confirmed that they had re-applied for a work permit for Manucho so that he could play for them. On 28 August 2008, the Manchester Evening NewsManchester Evening News
The Manchester Evening News is a regional daily newspaper covering Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom. It is published every day except Sunday and is owned by Trinity Mirror plc following its sale by Guardian Media Group in early 2010. It has an average daily circulation of 90,973 copies...
reported that Manucho had received a work permit earlier that summer, which was confirmed on the official website. Manucho was handed the number 26 shirt for the 2008–09 season. Although it was claimed he was carrying an injury and would not feature, he made his competitive first team debut as a substitute on 23 September 2008 in a League Cup Third Round tie at home to Middlesbrough. The game ended 3–1 to Manchester United. Manucho made his Premier League debut for Manchester United on 15 November 2008, coming on as a 74th-minute substitute for Carlos Tévez
Carlos Tévez
Carlos Alberto Tévez is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Manchester City...
in a home match against Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
. Ten minutes after coming on, Manucho was involved in the build-up to United's fourth goal by Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck
Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah "Danny" Welbeck is an English footballer who plays for Manchester United and the England national football team. He is a centre forward who can also play on the wing....
. On 18 December 2008, Manucho scored his first goal in a Manchester United shirt, heading home Magnus Eikrem
Magnus Wolff Eikrem
Magnus Wolff Eikrem is a Norwegian footballer who plays for Molde in the Norwegian Premier League. His regular playing position is in attacking midfield, though he can play anywhere across the midfield...
's cross to earn United's reserve side a 1–1 draw against Everton in a Reserve League North match.
Hull City
Having found first team opportunities hard to come by at Manchester United, on 16 January 2009 Manucho agreed to join Hull CityHull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. He received a renewed work permit later that day and appeared as a substitute in a 3–1 home defeat by Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
on 17 January. On 4 March 2009, he scored his first Premier League goal, a last-minute winner for Hull City in a 1–0 away victory at Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
.
Real Valladolid
After his loan spell with Hull, Manucho was deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester United, and on 17 July 2009, the club agreed a deal with Real ValladolidReal Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
for the player's transfer. He signed a five-year contract with the Spanish club and was presented as a Real Valladolid player on 20 July 2009. On 13 September 2009 he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–2 defeat against Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
. Then he had to wait until 5 December 2009 for his next goal which earned them a vital point away to title challengers Sevilla CF.
After joining Valladolid, Manucho promised to score forty goals for the club. He scored four.
Bucaspor
In summer 2010, Manucho signed with BucasporBucaspor
Bucaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Izmir. Formed in 1928, Bucaspor are nicknamed Fırtına . The club colours are yellow and navy....
on a loan deal from Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
.
International career
Manucho plays international football for Angola. He was a member of the Angolan squad during his nation's successful qualification campaign for the 2008 African Cup of Nations2008 African Cup of Nations (qualification)
This page details the process of qualifying for the 2008 African Cup of Nations. 48 African nations, including hosts Ghana, entered the competition. Ghana automatically qualified as host country.-Qualified teams:...
.
In January 2008, he was named in the Angolan squad for the 2008 African Cup of Nations
2008 African Cup of Nations
The 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the MTN Africa Cup of Nations due to the competition's sponsorship by MTN, was the 26th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the biennial football tournament for nations affiliated to the Confederation of African Football . The tournament was staged at...
in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. He scored the opening goal in Angola's first game against South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
, and struck a further two goals in their second match against Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
in a 3–1 win. On 4 February, Manucho scored Angola's only goal in a 2–1 loss to Egypt. Although the result meant Angola were knocked out of the tournament, Manucho's 25-yard effort was described as "the goal of the tournament so far". At the end of the tournament, Manucho was included in the "Best XI", a team of the best players in each position.
In the African Cup Of Nations 2010 he scored from the penalty spot in the opening game for Angola in the 4-4 draw with Mali.