Manucho moves on

United have confirmed they have agreed terms with Real Valladolid for the transfer of Manucho.

The striker will sign a five-year deal with the La Liga club following an 19-month stay at Old Trafford.

The Angolan international made three appearances during his time as a Red after impressing during a three-week trial in December 2007. Before arriving at Old Trafford, the towering striker was the leading scorer in the top Angolan division, the Girabola, for two seasons, netting 16 goals in 2006/07 and 15 in 2005/06.

While United applied for Manucho's work permit, Sir Alex loaned him out to Panathinaikos in Greece for the latter part of the 2007/08 season. He scored on his league debut in the 2–0 home win over Larissa and when Panathinaikos finished third, he scored three goals in six play-off games to help them reach the qualifying rounds of the 2008/09 Champions League.

Manucho’s application for a work permit was finally granted in August 2008 and, after spending time in the Reserves, he eventually made his senior debut in the Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough in September 2008, as a late substitute for Ryan Giggs. He also made his Barclays Premier League debut as a sub, in the 5-0 victory against Stoke City two months later.

The striker made several appearances and scored one league goal (a header against Everton) for the Reserves before he headed out on loan to Hull City in January 2009 for the remainder of the season. Making his Hull debut in a home defeat by Arsenal, he scored a significant first goal for the Tigers against Fulham - a last-minute winner at Craven Cottage on 4 March 2009.