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After his surprise transfer to Manchester United this winter could Angolan born forward Mancuho be the answer to the striking problems that some have perceived at Old Trafford this season? The former Petro Atletico and Benfica de Luanda forward has certainly impressed in this edition of the African Cup of Nations’ despite his country’s early exit on Monday afternoon at the hands of Egypt. His 4 goals helped Angola qualify for the knock-out stages and despite the loss to the Pharaoh’s he scored a goal that could lay claim to being one of the goals of the tournament after letting flying with a shot from long range. The 23 year old won’t be making his Old Trafford debut just yet as he doesn’t meet the criteria to be eligible for a work permit in the UK and as a result has the prospect of a 3 month loan spell to look forward to with Greek giants Panathinaikos. The Old Trafford management team remain confident that Mancuho will be considered for a work permit in the summer as a result of his exploits in the African Cup of Nations and on the basis of the future performances in Athens (although Liverpool had to be beg to get Mark Gonzalez a work permit despite his excellent performances for Real Socieded prior to arriving at Anfield). With United linked heavily with several star strikers in the recent transfer window including Lyon’s Karim Benzema and Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax, both of whom remained with their clubs for the time being, the management are still clearly assessing their options in this department. United currently sit in second in the Premiership and mainly thanks to the exploits of Ronaldo, who has 19 from a wide position, haven’t lacked for attacking thrust. However, Carlos Tevez with 11 is the only other player to have reached double figures at this stage of the season. Rooney has managed 6 in the league and the next highest are Ferdinand, Nani and Giggs all with 2. Whilst many, especially at the beginning of the season when United began in most insipid fashion, questioned the logic of pairing Tevez and Rooney together the duo seemed to have hit it off. They also unquestionably benefit from the increased space given to them as defences turn their attention increasingly to stopping Ronaldo. However, it is undeniable that Tevez and Rooney are very similar types, both like to drop deep to receive a pass but thanks to their combined football intelligence ensure that neither repeats the runs but does something different. And in this respect Ferguson could benefit from having an out-and-out striker. In steps Manucho, who should be available from next August. Why spend upwards of £12 million on a top striker when you already have one must be roughly the thinking with the purchase of Manucho. The 4 games that Mancuho played in for Angola have certainly given us an idea of the 23 year old’s capacities. He appears to be quick, agile and also excellent in the air. Like many African forwards he loves to receive the ball to feet and his dazzling footwork has left a trail of bewildered defenders in Ghana. He scored a goal with his head in the 1-1 draw with South Africa showing plenty of bravery and despite the effort being in a futile cause rattled in a superb long range strike against Egypt. Given his height (he is registered at 6”2) and willingness to take the ball both with his back to goal and facing the target, inevitable comparisons could be drawn with Nigerian forward Kanu who has successfully plied his trade in the Premiership with Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth. So is Manucho the striker who could save the United management a packet? He is undoubtedly an excellent forward and despite his record coming in the relatively modest surroundings of the Angolan league notched 34 goals in 78 appearances for his former club, although was unable to get them into the African Champions League group stages last season, after they fell at the second qualifying round. He is somewhat taller than both Tevez and Rooney so offers a more natural threat in the air than the more established partnership. However, his lithe frame, may mean that to survive in the rough and tumble of the Premiership he may need to increase his bulk. He is also a player who likes to drift out of the centre of play and started his career at Petro Atletico as a left winger. Therefore he has a natural tendency to drift out to the left wing. Also during his side’s match against Egypt yesterday drifted off the front of play into a congested midfield area as his side chased the game. This tactic only played into the hands of the Egyptians, who felt the further they could keep him from goal the easier it was to mark him. If United are in the market for a genuine forward they would be better advised to look for a striker who only plays on the shoulder of the last defender as United already possess sufficient talent in midfield plus forwards who drift deep to look for the ball. Furthermore despite Mancuho’s creditable four goal haul in the African Cup of Nations, potentially the highest level of football he has ever played it, he didn’t strike one as a genuine goal scorer. His squandered chance just seconds into the second half against Egypt when he chipped past the post was a chance that a more natural goal scorer could have put away. With the game delicately poised at the point his second goal would have brought his side level but the wasted chance leads one to contemplate whether he possess sufficient big game nerve. At 23 Manucho is no youngster so will have to progress in the fashion that Arsenal forward Adebayor has for Arsene Wenger if he is to make it at Old Trafford. Furthermore his slender figure would only benefit from a year with a Championship side in the way that United’s rivals City have posted young Ishmael Miller with West Bromwich Albion. A season in arguably Europe’s most physically demanding leagues would undoubtedly toughen up Manucho and prepare him more for the rigours of a full Premiership season. However, United have already lost the remainder of this season after being obliged to stable him in Greece under the guidance of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro and would be understandably reluctant to loose another season out of their new acquisition. With these factors in mind it seems unlikely that Manucho is the answer to United’s demands if indeed they are looking for a new striker in the summer to enhance their options in the attack. Nevertheless given the right service and some opportunities there is no reason why Manucho can’t forge himself an excellent career in the Premiership although he will have to muscle past both Tevez and Rooney if he is to gain a first team place on a long-term basis. Posted by Walter Townsend on Tuesday, 5th February 2008 (Average rating 0 from 0 votes. Vote) (0 Comments) |