Prospective United striker Manucho scored a superb goal in his first African Cup of Nations appearance as Angola drew with South Africa on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old, who will join United if his work permit application is successful, gave his side the lead in exceptional style, powering home a brilliant diving header after 30 minutes.
Just as the Angolans seemed set to make a winning start to the tournament, however, South Africa equalised with three minutes remaining through Elrio van Heerden.
The result, allied to Tunisia's draw with Senegal, leaves all four teams in Group D level on a solitary point from the opening round of games.
Angola face Senegal on Sunday and Tunisia next Thursday, with both games kicking off at 1700 GMT.
A review of all the comings and goings at Barclays Premier League clubs so far in the January transfer window.
Arsenal
OUT: Matthew Connolly (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Lassana Diarra (Portsmouth, undisclosed)
Aston Villa
OUT: Chris Herd (Port Vale, loan)
Birmingham City
IN: David Murphy (Hibernian, £1.5million); James McFadden (Everton £5million)
OUT: Neil Kilkenny (Leeds United, £150,000), Sam Oji (released), Rowan Vine (Queens Park Rangers, undisclosed), Wilson Palacios (loan expired), Olivier Tebily (released)
Blackburn Rovers
OUT: Robbie Savage (Derby County, £1.5million) , Peter Enckelman (Cardiff City, loan)
Bolton Wanderers
IN: Tamir Cohen (Maccabi Netanya, undisclosed), Gretar Steinsson (AZ Alkmaar, £3.5million), Matthew Taylor (Portsmouth, undisclosed)
OUT: Gary Speed (Sheffield United, loan); Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea, £15million), Gerald Cid (Nice, undisclosed)
IN: Danny Mills (Manchester City, loan), Emanuel Villa (UAG Tecos, £2million), Laurent Robert (unattached, free transfer), Robbie Savage (Blackburn Rovers £1.5million), Hossam Ghaly (Tottenham Hotspur, loan)
OUT: Steve Howard (Leicester City, undisclosed), Mo Camara (Norwich City, loan), Andy Griffin (Stoke City, £300,000), Matt Oakley (Leicester City, £500,000)
Everton
IN: Manuel Fernandes (Valencia, loan), Dan Gosling (Plymouth Argyle, undisclosed)
OUT: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Plymouth Argyle, loan); James McFadden (Birmingham City £5million)
Fulham
IN: Brede Hangeland (FC Copenhagen, undosclosed)
Liverpool
IN: Martin Skrtel (Zenit St Petersburg, £6.5m)
Manchester City
IN: Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk , loan)
OUT: Danny Mills (Derby County, loan), Marc Laird (Millwall, undisclosed), Ched Evans (Norwich City, loan), Matthew Mills (Doncaster Rovers, loan)
Manchester United
OUT: Jonny Evans (Sunderland, loan), Lee Martin (Sheffield United, loan)
Wayne Rooney dan Cristiano Ronaldo menepati sasaran untuk kemenangan terhadap Reading. Walaupun bermula agak lembab di separuh masa pertama, barisan anak buah Alex Ferguson mempamerkan aksi sang juara membenam Reading di Madejski Stadium. Walaupun menguasai separuh masa pertama, barisan pemain united sukar untuk menembusi gawang Reading yang di kawal Marcus Hahnemann. Gol akhirnya menyusul juga pada lewat separuh masa kedua oleh Wayne Rooney dan Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United are preparing a £12million offer for long-term target Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Boss Alex Ferguson failed to get the prolific Ajax striker last January. The towering Dutch international is in his third season with Ajax after spells with PSV Eindhoven and Heerenveen. He has scored 53 goals in just 65 games for the club and the 24-year-old has been compared to Dutch legend Marco van Basten and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who served under Fergie so well until his move to Real Madrid for £11m in July 2006. Nicknamed ‘The Hunter’, Huntelaar has nine full international caps and three goals. He is Holland’s top all-time Under-21 scorer with 18 goals in 22 games. Huntelaar is also a target for Juventus and has been watched by Arsenal. Ajax value the player at £18m but they are in financial trouble and may be forced to accept United’s first offer. Neil Custis, The Sun
In other transfer news, chief executive David Gill insists no amount of money could persuade United to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.
The Daily Mirror reckon that United's Lee Martin will join Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season, rather than extending his stay at Plymouth Argyle.
Meanwhile, a bullish Wayne Rooney is quoted on United's title chances. The striker insists the Reds are well placed going into the second half of the season, and are confident of retaining the Premier League title.
Man Utd deal on cards says Hertha's Gilberto Hertha Berlin's Gilberto has emerged as a candidate to give United extra cover at left back. The 31-year-old's agent Alexandra Martins claimed agreement with United was close after talks on a new deal at his German club broke down over his demand for £1.75million a year. Gilberto's contract runs out at the end of the season and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to snap up the tough-tackling left-sided defender or midfielder. Gilberto said: "I have received offers from England, Portugal and Brazil. I have become accustomed to winning trophies with Brazil and would like to do the same at club level." Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness said: "Trying to extend his contract is a priority for us."
Klaas Jan Huntelaar is being touted by various UK newspapers as the most likely United signing should Sir Alex Ferguson dip into the market during the January transfer window.
The Dutch striker has been linked with a move to United on numerous occasions but speculation is heating up that Huntelaar will sign for the Reds.
Rumours still abound that Berbatov may come to OT while Hertha Berlin’s Gilberto and Lyon’s Benzema have expressed an interest in joining United.
Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill have both insisted Ronaldo is going nowhere despite Real Madrid’s interest but debate still remains over Wes Brown’s future.
