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Who is Federico Macheda?
If fans across the globe had not heard of Federico Macheda before his wonder goal against Aston Villa, they certainly have now.
The 17-year-old Italian announced his arrival in English football with a dramatic and decisive injury-time curler, which gave Manchester United a 3-2 win and took them back to the top of the Premier League table.
But who is the player known at Old Trafford as Kiko Macheda and where did he come from?
Macheda was born in Rome in 1991 and began his footballing life at Lazio, where he would have stayed had it not been for Italian football regulations, which prevented under-18s signing professional terms.
FEDERICO MACHEDA FACTFILE
Born in Rome, 22 August 1991
Joined United in September 2007 from Lazio, aged 16
Signed professional forms on 22 August 2008, his 17th birthday
Scored a hat-trick for the reserves in a 3-3 draw with Newcastle in March
Macheda had already been spotted by United's vast scouting network during his early teens and, sensing an opportunity, they got their man.
The striker was only 16 when he signed for United as a trainee in September 2007, a move that caused uproar at Lazio, who rated him so highly they had taken him to the senior squad's pre-season camp in the summer of that same year.
In August 2008, Macheda signed professional terms at Old Trafford on the day of his 17th birthday and just eight months later became an instant hero for the Red Devils.
But what had the Italian been doing during that period?
Under the guidance of former United striker Ole Gunnnar Solskjaer - now reserve coach for the reigning Premier League champions - Macheda began getting to grips with English football.
He started in the youth team but this season, under Solskjaer's tutelage, he has been promoted to the reserves and scored eight goals in eight games, including a hat-trick against Newcastle in March.
Those three goals coupled with Dimitar Berbatov's lay-off because of an ankle injury and Wayne Rooney's suspension led to Macheda being promoted to the first team against Villa.
Despite his age, Macheda has already physically matured into a man, something that has not gone unnoticed by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
"The young boy Macheda is progressing exceptionally well in the youth and reserves," Ferguson said recently.
"He's a big lad now, he has improved physically. We're really pleased with him."
He has been compared to team-mate Berbatov in style, although as he showed on Sunday, Macheda is not shy of a challenge or two.
"Federico is a very good technical player," stated United Under-18s manager Paul McGuinness.
"He is a real Italian striker. He might not look as if he is doing much but when he gets the ball his touch is very good and he makes good decisions.
"In some ways he has a style of Berbatov. He makes some very clever runs and is a very good finisher.
"He has fitted into the club very well and is on a really good wavelength with Danny Welbeck."
Berbatov's absence may provide Macheda with further first-team opportunities and in January he was added to United's 25-man Champions League squad for the knock-out stages after midfielder Owen Hargreaves was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Macheda's goal on Sunday has been compared to that of Steve Bruce's against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993 because of its importance.
Bruce's late header clinched victory for United, with Ferguson's side going on to win the Premier League title.
It may yet prove to be a pivotal goal in the battle for the 2008-2009 title...
but whatever the outcome of the Premier League race, a star has been born.
8 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Mr. K, a very interesting question and answer all in one go.
I liked the look of this kid before he scored the brilliant goal that will probably see United retain their title and put the skids under big mouth Benitez despite the current over performance of his team.
Macheda looked dangerous, enthusiastic and full of energy from the moment he was introduced. Much more energetic than Berbatov, they should complement each other.
I felt sorry for Carlos Tevez, bless the boy, whose contribution to the win was insignificant compared to that of Macheda. I know Carlos had endured 2 tiring flights and some humiliation in South America but he spent most of his time in possession backing into Villa defenders, falling over and appealing for free kicks he was never going to get.
I know Carlos makes a major contribution all round the pitch but so does Rooney and we need goal scorers to capitalise on the work of the team grafters. I can see, I am afraid, why United are baulking at spending 30 - 32 million on him when we have young emerging strikers like Frazier Campbell, Manucho, Danny Welbeck and Frederico Macheda.
Sir Alex has surpassed himself in acquiring and developing the next generation of talent at Old Trafford. Great work Sir but do we need and can we afford Carlos Tevez as well?
One little matter, Mr. K., Steve Bruce scored 2 in stoppage time against Wednesday to win the game.
Bring on F.C. Porto - Rooney, Scholes and Vidic back. Wooohooo.
Source(s): Fox Sports Live. P.S. My wife's favourite player is Carlos Tevez. - Anonymous5 years ago
Spoiled my weekend too, I wasn't getting over the thoughts of Villa beatng United when Cristiano and Federico stole it(literally). Yes I feel, that was title deciding moment, only until the spoil the next games. Liverpool can hold the title only if United give it to them giftwrapped.
- The Chelsea RoarLv 41 decade ago
Yep pretty much explained it. If you searched his name on google before the game, almost nothing would come up. Now when you google Macheda, he's everywhere: in the news, video, everywhere!
- Anonymous1 decade ago
you ask a question then give all possible info for an answer yourself...
it was one goal, apart from that, what else did he do?
not much.
i cant see him being a big player for Man U in the future wen they can go and buy pretty much anyone they like, look what happened to Guiseppi Rossi.
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- Anonymous1 decade ago
He's a 17-year-old kid who's put his boot onto the mouths of Liverpool fans.
For being accused of becoming part of the Man United thumb down mafia,I'm getting the thumbs down.
- 1 decade ago
You got this from the bbc website.lol. What a team, what a player, what a goal!!
