Manucho move expected

Panathinaikos are expected to complete the loan signing of Angola striker Manucho from Manchester United.

The 24-year-old striker, whose full name is Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves, is currently with his country at the African Nations Cup in Ghana.

Manucho has been one of the stars of the tournament so far, scoring three times in two games to take Angola to the brink of qualification for the knock-out stages.

With Angola due to take on Tunisia in their final Group D match on Thursday, it is not yet clear when the player will arrive in Athens.

Manucho only signed a three-year contract with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in January after catching the club’s attention playing for Angolan outfit Petro Athletico.

He scored against South Africa in Angola’s opening match of the African Nations Cup which ended 1-1 before netting a brace against Senegal in a 3-1 win.

His move to Panathinaikos comes after the recent departure of Greek international striker Evangelos Manztios, who joined Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

Pana coach Jose Peseiro has been busy in the transfer window, bringing in former Porto striker Helder Postiga on loan with a view to a permanent move as well as signing Greek Under-21 frontman Antonis Petropoulos from Aigaelo.