Manchester United Federico Macheda  Manchester United Federico Macheda

Manchester United player profile - Federico Macheda

Federico 'Kiko' Macheda, more commonly known as Federico Macheda Manchester United and Italy footballer, was born on 22 August 1991 in Rome, Italy. Federico Macheda started his football career as a youth team player at Lazio, one of Rome's Serie A sides where Italian football regulations prevented him. as an under 18, from signing a professional contract. This regulation meant that Federico Macheda was not permanently tied to Lazio and after being scouted he was signed by English Premier League side Manchester United of England shortly after his 16th birthday.

Federico Macheda relocated to England with his family in September 2007 following his signing for Manchester United and he began a three year scholarship in the club's academy. He was immediately picked for the under-18 side and made his debut on 15 September 2007 where he scored the winning goal in a 1-0 defeat over Barnsley, Federico Macheda went on to become the under-18 top scorer in his first 07/08 season with 12 goals in 21 appearances. Towards the end of his first seaon with Manchester United Federico Macheda progressed from the under-18's to the reserves with whom he first appeared on 26 February 2008.

Federico Macheda signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on 22 August 2008, his 17th birthday, and he went into the 08/09 season in the under-18's while making a few appearances for the reserves. At the end of March 2009 injuries and suspensions to some first team players left the door slightly open for Federico Macheda to be included in the first team squad. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson challenged Federico Macheda by saying that a good performance in a reserve match against Newcastle United on 30 March would be rewarded with inclusion in the next first team squad. Federico Macheda seized his opportunity scoring a hat-trick in the Newcastle United reserve team match and was duly picked for the first team in their following Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on 05 April 2009.

Federico Macheda made his Manchester United debut after 60 minutes of the match against Aston Villa when he came off the bench to repace Nani, he put in a very solid performance and then Federico Macheda became a household name when in the third minute of a five minute injury time he scored a beautifully taken goal that won the game 3-2 for Manchester United. In his first season (08/09) with the senior squad Federico Macheda picked up a winners medal as part of the Manchester United squad who won� the prestigious Premier League title.