Federico Macheda

 

 

Federico "Kiko" Macheda (Roma, 22 August 1991) is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Manchester United. He joined Manchester United from Lazio in September 2007.

Summary

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.

Just six days later, the Italian's stock grew further as he reprised his match-winner status when it mattered most. Within a minute of entering the fray against Sunderland, with United chasing a winner, Macheda diverted home a vital winner to further aid the Reds' defence of the Premier League title.

 

Club career

Early career

Born in Rome, Macheda began his football career with local side Lazio. However, due to Italian football regulations preventing under-18s from signing professional

contracts, he was not permanently tied to the club, and shortly after his 16th birthday, he was signed by Manchester United of England, where regulations permit the

signing of players aged 16 and up. Following his family's relocation to England, he officially joined the club as a trainee on 16 September 2007, and began a

three-year scholarship in the club's Academy.

Manchester United

He went straight into the Manchester United Under-18 side, and scored the only goal of the game on his debut, a 1–0 away win over Barnsley on 15

September 2007. In his first season with the club, he finished as the Under-18s' top scorer with a total of 12 goals in 21 appearances for the under-18s, and even

made his debut for the reserves on 26 February 2008, when he came on as a 68th-minute substitute for Gerard Piqué in a 2–0 away defeat to Liverpool. On 12 May

2008, Macheda earned a Manchester Senior Cup winners' medal when he was named as an unused substitute for the 2–0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the final.

Macheda signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on his 17th birthday in August 2008. In the 2008–09 season, he continued in the under-18

side, while also making a few appearances for the reserves. Towards the end of the season, Macheda enjoyed an extended run in the reserve team, scoring eight

goals in eight games, including a hat-trick in a 3–3 draw with Newcastle United on 30 March 2009, and he was rewarded by being selected for the first team for the

match against Aston Villa on 5 April 2009. With United 2–1 down heading into the final third of the game, manager Alex Ferguson substituted Macheda

in for Nani just after the hour mark. After Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for United in the 80th minute, Macheda won the match with a turn to evade his

marker followed by a curling effort from just inside the penalty area in the third minute of injury time.

Macheda was named on the bench for United's next two games – first against Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, and then against

Sunderland in the league – making his second appearance for the club in the latter game. Just 46 seconds after taking to the field in place of Dimitar Berbatov,

Macheda had the ball in the back of the net for the second time in his United career, deflecting a Michael Carrick shot past Craig Gordon in the

Sunderland goal. With Alex Ferguson opting to rest his big-name players for the FA Cup semi-final against Everton on 19 April 2009, Macheda was

handed his first start in a Manchester United shirt. However, for the first time in his United career, Macheda failed to score and was substituted for Dimitar Berbatov

at the start of extra time. He started his first Premier League game in a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 2 May 2009, but he failed to get on the scoresheet and was

substituted ten minutes into the second half. At the end of his first season in the Manchester United first team, Macheda was named as the Jimmy Murphy Academy

Player of the Year in recognition of his performances in the under-18s, the reserves and the first team.

International career

Ahead of the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, Macheda was named in Italy's preliminary 40-man squad, due to be reduced to 23 members

in time for the tournament. However, Macheda missed out and was not named in the final squad.

On 12 August 2009 he made his debut for the Italy U-21 national team in a friendly against Russia.

Personal life

Macheda lives on Washway Road in Sale, Greater Manchester. Early in the morning of 12 July 2009, Macheda's home was targeted by robbers, who stole cash and jewellery. A friend of Macheda received a minor head wound during the robbery.

 

IMAGES FEDERICO MACHEDA