Federico Macheda explains ‘unthinkable’ Man Utd gamble he would make ‘a thousand times over’

Federico Macheda, a former Manchester United player, ended up playing in 36 games for the Red Devils overall.

None of them had the same impact as his 2009 debut, which is still warmly regarded as one of the greatest Old Trafford moments of the 2000s.

Federico Macheda’s strike against Aston Villa is indelible in Manchester United legend, even if he also scored a crucial goal away against Sunderland that season.

Villa’s threat to undermine United’s title hopes and steal vital points prompted the 17-year-old Italian to make his debut.

Macheda upstaged reigning Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo to give Manchester United a 3-2 victory with a stunning move and strike that curled the ball into the far corner.

Jonny Evans, a current United player, was at the centre of the exuberant celebrations that followed the goal both on and off the field. Among the greatest United debuts of the previous 20 years was Macheda’s goal.

Happy Federico Macheda joined United
Federico Macheda will always be remembered as one of the wonderkids from Manchester United who just missed out.

Although he did not have many more chances after his debut, in the 35 games that followed, he only managed five more goals.

Macheda says he was gutsy to make the move and has been thinking back on his time at United. Even though it meant abandoning his boyhood side Lazio, he is happy he did.

“I went to Manchester without an agent, I went with a scout,” he said to lalaziosiamonoi.

“Leaving home so soon was unthinkable, but I would make the same decision a thousand times over.”

Macheda had a tremendous influence, and although he acknowledged that it was a wonderful opportunity to play with so many Manchester United greats, he also hinted that it was difficult to maintain a regular slot.

He went on, “It’s not easy to throw yourself into a team like that at such a young age with so many champions around you.”

Playing once a month is quite different from playing every week, which is something I did when I was younger and something very few people do. I would have preferred to perform more frequently.

Status of Federico Macheda at the moment
During the conversation, Macheda was asked if he would like to go back to Lazio in the future. “I’m a Lazio fan, and I would gladly return,” he replied.

Prior to a stint with the Italian team Novara, Macheda signed a permanent contract with Cardiff City in 2014.

He didn’t start to settle until he moved to Greece, where he went on to play for Panathinaikos for almost 100 games and score 40 goals.

After spending one season at Turkish club Ankaragucu, where he scored six goals, Macheda is once again a free agent.

Macheda, who is 32 years old, knows he will never again reach the heights of his spectacular Manchester United moment from 2009, but he might still have a few more seasons left in him.