Macheda To The Rescue Again

I wouldn't believe it if it were fiction. Italian Federico Macheda came to Manchester United's rescue for a second successive time in the Premier League as the 17-year-old scored the winner in a 2-1 win at Sunderland on Saturday.

Second-placed Liverpool had earlier piled on the pressure with a 4-0 home win over Blackburn Rovers and champions United once looked set to be overhauled at the top of the table when Kenwyne Jones cancelled out Paul Scholes's opener.

Macheda, however, turned in Michael Carrick's wayward shot with his first touch seconds after coming on in the 75th minute.

Thanks to his decider, United restored one-point lead over nearest rivals Liverpool, who have 70 points from 32 games.

Chelsea nearly threw away a four-goal lead at home to Bolton Wanderers but hung on for a 4-3 win which saw the visitors pull three goals back in nine minutes.

Guus Hiddink's side retained third with 67 points, six clear of Arsenal who won 4-1 at Wigan Athletic.

Tottenham Hotspur moved up to eighth and boosted their hopes of qualifying for Europe after overcoming West Ham United 1-0 at home.

In the other end of the table, Newcastle United gave Alan Shearer his first point as manager, but remain in the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw at Stoke City.

Middlesbrough recorded a rare league 3-1 win over fellow strugglers Hull City while West Bromwich Albion let a lead slip in drawing 2-2 at Portsmouth.

Considering next Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second-leg tie against Porto, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson rested Edwin Van der Sar, Patrice Evra and Cristiano Ronaldo at Sunderland.

Scholes gave United a 19-minute lead, heading Wayne Rooney's fine cross into the far corner before Jones bundled home from close range to equalize 10 minutes after the restart.

Macheda came off the bench, in place of Dimitar Berbatov, to turn home the winner on 76 minutes to claim a priceless three points.

Chelsea maintained their title challenge in dramatic fashion.

They seemed to have secured a victory after an hour by opening up a 4-0 lead through Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba with two and a Frank Lampard penalty.

But Bolton took advantage of their defensive vulnerability and they were suddenly trailing 4-3 as Andy O'Brien, Chris Basham and Matt Taylor each scored from 70th to 78th minute.

Although the visitors went on to threaten to draw, Chelsea held their nerves and Petr Cech kept out any further goal.

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Lazio Accuse Manchester United Over Macheda Deal

Federico made his Manchester United debut on Sunday and it turned out to be the thing dreams are made of for the youngster as he came off the bench and scored a stunning winner against Aston Villa. But now United have been accused by Lazio of snatching away their star youngster.

Lazio, who first groomed the young striker before he moved to Manchester, have been angered by the loss of Macheda.

"All these players are robbed as a matter of course by this club," Lotito told Tuesday's Daily Mail. "They are always outside what is normal in terms of etiquette. They go to the parents and give them money and important jobs. These are boys who come from poor families. The families base their choices on economic interests. It's not moral. It is like a cattle market. The young players are treated like cattle."

Macheda himself seems more than happy at Manchester United though as he described his debut as "the day of my dreams". Surely it is the welfare of the young players that counts most, and Macheda seems more than happy with his lot.....Back To Home Page...

Just Who Is Federico Macheda?

Federico Macheda became an instant Old Trafford hero when he scored a stunning injury-time winner on his debut against Aston Villa in April 2009.

Aged just 17, the young Italian told MUTV it was "the best day of my life".

But while that goal heralded Macheda's arrival on the biggest stage, his prowess in front of goal has been apparent ever since he arrived at United in September 2007. Indeed, just six days before his Villa winner, the boy they call "Kiko" netted a hat-trick for the Reserves in a thrilling 3-3 draw at St James' Park.

Formerly a member of Lazio's youth system, Macheda signed professional forms on 22 August 2008. A powerful forward with a natural eye for goal, he was born in Rome and is regarded in Italy as one of the most promising prospects of his generation.

Having relocated to England to further his career, Macheda has quickly moved up the ranks at United. He started out in Paul McGuinness' Under-18s side, but has become a regular in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Reserves.

He began the 2008/09 campaign with a fine goalscoring run in the youth team and quickly translated that to Reserve team football.

His strength on the ball, positional sense in the box and clinical finishing haven't gone unnoticed at the very top: Sir Alex Ferguson handed him a Champions League squad number midway through the 2008/09 campaign and then showed stunning judgement to introduce him against Aston Villa just when the Reds needed a goal most.....Back To Home Page...