At 24, Goncalves cannot be bracketed with young midfielders Nani and Anderson, who have settled well following their summer arrivals from Sporting Lisbon and FC Porto respectively.
Indeed, unless he performs outstandingly well for his country at next month's African Nations Cup, United may not even get a work permit for the player - who has been spotted by Ferguson's assistant Carlos Queiroz and would almost certainly be loaned to a club in Portugal to overcome immediate administration issues.
"We hope he does well in the African Nations Cup because, as it is at the moment, he has to play enough games to qualify for a work permit," added the United manager.
"We have had him in for three weeks, and he has done exceptionally well.
"He has done very well training with the first team and playing in a couple of practice matches.
"It is always difficult to assess it completely. But there is good potential there. He has good assets. He is 6ft 2in; he is quick, aggressive and very agile - so there is something to work on.
"If we can get the work permit we can map out a future for him, but I wouldn't see him as a first-team player this season."
sportinglife.com
Manchester United have agreed terms to sign Angolan striker Mateus Alberto Contreiras Goncalves or "Manucho" for short. He impressed during a recent 3 week trial and signs from Petro Luanda of the Angolan domestic league.
