Mame Biram Diouf: Another Manucho?

'No more transfers' was the words quoted by Sir Alex after the signings of Michael Owen, Gabriel Obertan and Antonio Valencia. Not particularly what the fans wanted to hear in the aftermath of the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. One week later and there was a new signing announced. A prolific striker in the Norwegian league for Molde. A player recommended by 'the baby faced assassin' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. His name was Mame Biram Diouf.

Is Diouf another Manucho?

Diouf was a relative unheard of around Europe. I don't think Sir Alex was planning on signing him, as I think he meant his 'no more transfers' pledge. But with reported interest from Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, Fergie needed to act fast if he was to land his man.

At the age of 23, Mame still has the best of his career ahead of him. But is it at United? That is the question that is posing Sir Alex this summer, in my opinion.

Just like any other big United fan, I took a big interest in this signing and was a bit pessimistic about it. As soon as it was announced, the question that jumped into my head was: Is this another Manucho?

Manucho was similar to Mame in terms of origin, coming from Angola. Like Diouf (so far), he was not given numerous chances and was shipped out to Hull City to impress on loan - something he failed to do which resulted in him departing United for pastures new. I think he went to Panithinaikos.

Also, at the announcement of the signing, we learnt that Mame would be spending the rest of the Norwegian season with Molde before linking up United in January.

Diouf made his debut on the 9th of January, two days after being granted a work permit, away to Birmingham, coming on as a late substitute in a match that ended 1-1. He then made his home debut at home to Burnely, marking it with a debut goal, scoring the last after coming on as a late substitute, once again. He marked his goal with an Obafemi Martins-esque celebration. This was as good as it got for Diouf, in his 5 appearances.

Yes, Diouf hasn't really been given the chance to shine since being at United, but you have to realise that this is because Sir Alex, at that moment, obviously didn't rate him enough. However, he was given the chance to impress, being sent out on loan to Blackburn for the entirety of the 2010/2011 season. Diouf was given chances and starts, but did not do enough to earn himself a regular first team spot. Scoring 3 goals in 26 appearances sounds bad, it's not exactly impressive, but the majority of his time at Blackburn he was deployed out wide in a 4-3-3 formation.

But, Sir Alex now has a decision to make. He currently has 7 (yes, 7!) strikers to choose from: Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov (may not have a future), Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck and Diouf himself. Also, Joshua King, who looks like he's on his way to Borrusia Mochengladbach, providing he proves he's 100% fit. The question is, who leaves? And top of that list, in my opinion, is Mame Biram Diouf.

I think the best Mame has to hope for is that he is given to chance to impress during pre-season, but if not, I fear that his short stay at United is over, much like Manucho's.