Angolan striker Mateus Alberto Contreiras Gonçalves signed for Manchester United in January 2008 after spending nine seasons playing in his home country, for a fee rumoured to be just below one million pounds. The surprising move made by Sir Alex Ferguson happened after the 24-year-old striker satisfied the staff on a three-week-trial, who described Manucho as a “tall, agile, quick forward“. The player who was supposed to bring competition to Rooney, Tevez and Saha failed to get his work permit, so he was forced to go on loan abroad to Greek giants Panathinaikos.
After a relatively successful five-month-spell, Manucho returned to England, but managed to pick up an injury, which kept him out of United’s pre-season tour and resulted in him missing a handful of international qualifying matches. Nevertheless, the left-footed striker managed to get his United debut with a cameo against Middlesbrough in the third round of League Cup in September and fans expected to see more of the relatively unknown African. Sadly for him, Manucho made only two more appearances in the red shirt, of which one was an added-time substitution in a Premier League thrashing of Stoke, before going to Hull City on a half-season-loan.
The pacey frontman managed to get more playing time at the KC Stadium and scored two goals in 17 appearances for the Tigers, but that was not enough to earn him further stay at Old Trafford, where they accepted 3 million euros for Spanish Real Valladolid for his services. Manucho again failed to impress. He managed to establish himself as a regular starter, but he scored just four goals throughout the season and didn’t help his team in avoiding relegation.
Next season Valladolid loaned him out to two Turkish top flight clubs, Bucaspor and Manisaspor in hope of revival of his career and finding his goalscoring form, but Manucho couldn’t impose himself and it became obvious his career was in free-fall. Another average campaign followed, this time back at Valladolid who managed to battle out a promotion, but without significant contribution from the Angolan international.
In the 2012/13 season, Manucho managed to double his previous best scoring tally in Europe and finished as Valladolid’s second top goal-scorer with eight. It seemed like the ex-United player had finally found his feet and a level which suited him, but being 30 years of age at the time, there wasn’t much hope of another breakthrough transfer. Expectedly, the quality of his performances began to drop off yet again, and after another disappointing season, he signed a one-year-deal with Rayo Vallecano. The 32-year-old played all but one game for mid-table team last season and had another average campaign, scoring five times.
Manucho’s international record (22 goals in 51 appearances) for Angola indicates a talent that United’s former assistant coach Carlos Queiroz once recognised. However, approval that came from one of the greatest managers of all time (after making sure he was convinced in his abilities) may end up being just a laughable footnote in a rich biography, but also a reminder of an odd mistake in Ferguson’s evaluation.
Manucho Gonçalves’ future is uncertain at the moment. It remains to be seen what next season will bring for just one of many passengers that came and went through Manchester United’s dressing room.
