Manchester United will find out in the next 48 hours if their work permit application for Mexican striker Javier Hernandez has been successful.
Although Hernandez does not meet the criterion of having played in 75 per cent of Mexico's games over the last two years, United will argue at his hearing that he is an "exceptional talent".
United fans got their first glimpse of Hernandez when he came on as a substitute in Mexico's 3-1 defeat to England at Wembley on Monday and Sir Alex Ferguson feels he has great potential.
The Reds are confident of obtaining the work permit to complete Hernandez's £7million move from Chivas Guadalajara on appeal if their initial application fails.
Now this really does make you wonder what the hell is going on when we couldn't get Mariga in even though he came from a Commonwealth country???
.Manchester City's deal to sign Parma midfielder McDonald Mariga has fallen through after the Kenyan international was not granted a work permit.
City attended an appeal at Wembley on Monday morning in an attempt to secure a permit for the 22-year-old.
Mariga, who has 24 caps for Kenya, met the criteria for appearing in 75% of internationals in the last two years.
But his application was rejected as Kenya are ranked 98th in Fifa's world rankings, outside the top 70 nations.
City can request a further appeal in a future transfer window but will not be able to register Mariga as a player in the current window.
A delegation from Eastlands travelled to the appeal, where a panel made up of representatives from the Football Association, Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association, as well as some 'independent football experts' - usually ex-players - made their decision.
Parma and City had agreed a deal of around £7m for Mariga, who was hoping to become the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League.
He joined Parma on a permanent basis in the summer of 2008, after initially moving on loan from Swedish side Helsingborgs.
Mariga is under contract with the Serie A outfit until June 2012
What's the difference?