Focus On United's African Internationals

Subject to a work permit, Eric Bailly will become the fifth African international star to play for Manchester United following his switch from Villarreal.

The Ivory Coast defender follows in the footsteps of Quinton Fortune, Eric Djemba-Djemba, Manucho and Mame Biram Diouf who have all represented their countries from the same continent. Recent United stars Patrice Evra (Senegal) and Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast, like Bailly) were also born in Africa but they have played football for France and England respectively.

Here's our guide to United's first four players from African national teams...

Quinton Fortune (South Africa) - Signed from Atletico Madrid B, 21/08/1999
While reports in Spain's Marca newspaper revealed a deal had been brokered to take the South African from Atletico Madrid's B team to mighty United in August 1999, the news took a day or so to break in the UK. It was certainly a transfer to slip under the radar but Fortune had impressed on trial and performed at the World Cup for his country a year earlier. Those in Spain expected the midfielder to join Real Valladolid but he finally clinched a long-awaited move to England. After seeing a switch to Tottenham fall through due to work-permit problems as a teenager, the 22-year-old faced an anxious wait for the move to be rubber-stamped. Despite some suggestion that he had not played the required amount of games for his country over a two-year period, the permit was approved. The new boy was said to be cover for Ryan Giggs on the left flank. Former Reds keeper Gary Bailey, who grew up in South Africa, had coached Fortune and opined: "He'll need time to settle and get a couple of extra things in his armoury before he's unleashed on the English public but he could become a very valuable asset." This was very much the case as he racked up 126 appearances and helped the Reds to win league titles in 2000, 2001 and 2003.

Eric Djemba-Djemba (Cameroon) - Signed from Nantes, 03/07/2003
Many players talk about realising their dream by joining United but it was almost certainly true in the Cameroon international’s case. The Nantes midfielder talked of his affection for the Reds and how his pals had called him ‘Cantona’ due to his first name. After playing at Old Trafford in Nantes' 5-1 defeat in the Champions League, he would get the chance to have more memorable outings to the Theatre of Dreams. “Eric is a young player we have watched throughout the season and he’s impressed us each time with his understanding of the game,” declared Sir Alex Ferguson. “He looks like a Manchester United player in every sense. He is quick, aggressive and a good passer of the ball – the kind of athletic player we are looking for.” The fee was £3.5million with an additional £700,000 in add-ons but the midfielder was instantly compared to Roy Keane, which was rather unfair on somebody lacking real experience. “My style of play is ideally suited to the Premiership,” said the combative African. “I am quite physical. I am not setting my sights too high but, if I do get the chance, hopefully I will take it with both hands.” He made 39 appearances before joining Aston Villa in 2007.

Manucho (Angola) - Signed from Petro Atletico, 21/12/2007
Just before Christmas in 2007, United opted to sign the Petro Atletico striker following a successful three-week trial. It was a surprise move, made on the recommendation of Carlos Queiroz, but there was determination to seal the Angolan’s signature before the upcoming African Cup of Nations when his value could have risen. The 24-year-old signed a three-year contract and was in dreamland after admitting he had been a fan of the club since his youth. “I think he will need time, a few months, to adjust,” said Sir Alex. “But he has done very well in training and done well in competitive situations. It’s up to the boy himself with how he adapts to the change and commits to the learning part. Young players have to learn.” A muscular centre-forward with a real physical presence, he was viewed as a different option who could freshen up the attack but there were red-tape issues that necessitated a move to Panathinaikos on loan before his arrival could finally go through in September of 2008. “We hope he does well in the African Cup of Nations because, at it is at the moment, he has to play enough games to qualify for a work permit,” explained Sir Alex. “He is a tall, agile and quick forward and, through contacts that Carlos has, was brought to our attention six months ago.” He made three first-team outings before leaving permanently for Valladolid.

Mame Biram Diouf (Senegal) - Signed from Molde, 30/07/2009
Another transfer that was a bolt out of the blue as Sir Alex had insisted he would not be making any more signings only days before he revealed, during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on a pre-season tour, that the 21-year-old would be joining from Molde for around £4million. “We have been looking at him for two years,” said the manager. “We weren’t intending on signing anyone else but the situation accelerated to a point where other clubs started to make bids so we had to decide whether we acted or didn’t act.” The Senegalese striker was described as “brilliant” in training, prompting the appeal for a work permit while loaning him back to the Norwegian club where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made his name. “You have to watch hundreds of strikers before you find one who can win matches,” commented Sir Alex. “When you find him, you sign him! He’s quick and he’s got a magnificent spring in the air for someone of 5 foot 10 inches. He has good intelligence and a good feel for the game.” Diouf arrived in Manchester the following January and made nine appearances, scoring one goal, before moving on. He is currently with Stoke City.

Credit: Manutd.com