Manchester United have confirmed that their new signing - Angola striker Manucho Goncalves - is definitely joining Panathinaikos on-loan until the end of the season.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants Manucho to keep playing matches until the end of the season and Greece's Panathinaikos seems an ideal solution for the player to stay fit.

It is important that Manucho gets to retain his current form and with few fixtures ahead for his national side Angola, the United boss is keen for his new signing to stay match-fit.

Greek side Panathinaikos had all their current allocation of foreign squad places filled in, but the Greek team broke their contract with Nigerian defender Joseph Enakarhire, who has failed to convince the club's management about his skills and quality of play, allowing Manucho to join.

He joins Panathinaikos during a critical point for the Athens team, as they look to reinforce the squad after their successful qualification for the UEFA Cup's group stage next year.