Manucho granted work permit

2008-09-03 19:53

Manchester - Manchester United striker Manucho has been granted a British work permit, nine months after he was first given a contract by the Premier League club.

The Angola international, whose full name is Mateus Contreiras Gonclaves, joined United from Petro Athletico in December 2007 after a three-week trial. But he was initially deemed ineligible for a work permit, having played less than 75 percent of Angola's games in the previous two years.

"We couldn't get a work permit for him straight away, but when we looked at the rules and regulations we found that he actually qualified for one automatically," United chief executive David Gill said.

"We're delighted to have him. He's 25-years-old and has got a lot of great attributes. You only need to look at the goals he scored at the African Nations Cup to see that, and I think he brings something different to the team."

Manucho scored four goals as Angola reached the quarterfinals of the African Nations Cup in February. United then sent him on loan to Greek side Panathinaikos for three months.

- SAPA