21 - Dong Fangzhou Profile

In January 2004 Manchester United completed the signing of Chinese prodigy Fangzhuo Dong.

In a complicated transfer, United will pay an initial ?500,000 for the 18-year-old striker - which could eventually rise to ?3.5million depending on appearances.

But because Dong does not qualify for a UK work permit, he began his United career at Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp, and he linked up with them in February 2004.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson will not be the only one hoping the deal will work. Should the transfer eventually prove a success the Old Trafford money-men can expect to benefit from an explosion of interest in United in the world's most populous country.

So far, his time at Antwerp has not proved to be entirely successful, though his career did get a boost in July 2005 when he joined up with United to tour the Far East, even grabbing his first goal for the club.

However, in January 2007 he finally linked up with United for real after getting a work permit, having broken into the Chinese national team. The same month, he signed a new contract at Old Trafford until 2010.

• Fergie hopeful over Dong

  Chinese striker Dong Fangzhuo will get the chance to kick-start his Manchester United career in December