Apr 5, 2009 1:50:40 PM
Ewan Macdonald looks at the uncommonly youthful face of a player who has just played a massive trump card in the Premier League title race.
A bookies' favourite market these days is Last Goalscorer. Who will be the final player to put the ball in the net? This gives canny punters a chance to weigh up who the impact sub will be, and who has a habit of making a difference in the last minute. But had you attempted to predict this late hero for Manchester United's 3-2 win over Aston Villa, there is every chance that you would have been wrong.
That's because Federico Macheda - just 17 years of age - popped up at the very last minute to net Manchester United's decisive goal against all the odds. And not only did he score a goal, he scored a wonder-goal: one that will be a staple of highlight reels for not just months, but years to come.
Starting Out
Born in Rome on August 22 1991, 'Kiko' Macheda was just starting his football education as United's young greats of the mid 1990s - Beckham, Giggs, and the rest - were flourishing.
Macheda gravitated towards the blue half of the Italian capital as a youngster, playing with Lazio as a youth.
He was rated at this time as one of the most promising Lazio youngsters of recent years. Indeed, the Biancocelesti were so desperate to keep him that Lazio coach Delio Rossi took the then-16-year-old Macheda along for the senior pre-season squad camp in the summer of 2007.
But that August, he was lured to England by Manchester United. Rumour has it that despite his tender years he was offered €80,000 a year to relocate - a mammoth sum for a player who was yet to play a first team game, even though some at Old Trafford earn more in a single week.
This offer, coupled with the fact that his family were apparently eager to see him take up a life-changing contract (they were to be re-located to Lancashire as part of the deal) saw him sign on at Old Trafford on September 1st, 2007.
Lazio were helpless, given that youngsters can't sign professional deals in Italy until they hit 18 years of age. Disappointment and anger swept through Rome, given that the compensation package for a boy viewed at the Olimpico as a future Italian international was seen as 'paltry.'
But United had their man!
Fama Volat | Macheda's reputation precedes him among those in the know in Manchester
Through The Ranks
Undaunted, Federico Macheda set about making his name at United. He headed virtually straight into the U-18 line-up before proving that his wage packet was no case of reckless expenditure, thus prompting his arrival in the reserves.
Under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Macheda put his natural talent to good use, impressing in a series of performances at all age groups. As Sir Alex Ferguson put it to the official United website, "The young boy Macheda is progressing exceptionally well in the youth team and Reserves. He's a big lad now, he's improved physical. He's been doing fantastically well and we're really pleased with him."
But exactly how pleased Fergie was going to be was not apparent until Federico's debut.
Turn It Like Kiko | A touch with the heel, a quick change of posture, and one strike: a recipe for history
Into The Deep End
Hints that the coach was going to use Macheda during the run-in came in January as Fergie awarded the reserve striker with a squad number - 41 - ahead of the latter stages of the Champions League. UEFA competition, after all, not only asks for but in fact requires a certain number of club-reared youngsters, and despite being Italian, Federico fits the bill.
But far from saved for a late run-out against Porto, Macheda's debut came in unlikely circumstances. After two consecutive defeats, and with a third more than possible, on came Federico against Aston Villa at Old Trafford after 61 minutes, with United having just gone 2-1 down.
The more hardcore fans will have known that Federico had warmed up with a reserve team hat-trick midweek against Newcastle United's second string; others might be forgiven for frantically leafing through their match programmes to see exactly whom they were dealing with.
They were to find out soon enough.
Into The Limelight | This might be Macheda's first brush with the camera close-up - but it won't be the last
That Goal
With ten minutes to go Cristiano Ronaldo had drawn United level with a drilled finish, and the sense of expectation around Old Trafford was palpable as it became known that there were to be no fewer than five minutes of stoppage time.
Three minutes into this, history was made. Macheda was in the box, not just waiting for, but seeking the ball. Pointing to his right - away from goalmouth - he signalled for a through pass. Ryan Giggs obliged.
There was Kiko, back to goal, the ball the wrong side of the near post, and with Luke Young on his shoulders. What to do? Chances are he didn't even think: he just did it. In one fluid motion he teed the ball up with his heel, turned, put his weight low behind the ball, and curled a shot past Brad Friedel. It was utterly sublime.
He ran to the crowd - later revealed to be his family - and then waited for the match to end. When it did, he was confronted immediately by the cameras which, in a moment of youthful exuberance, he yelled at in triumph, kissed, laughed in - rejoiced with.
More To Come
Macheda's celebrations may have exuded confidence, but - inevitably, for a fairytale like this - it was a fidgeting, bouncing, endearingly shy youngster who gave his post-match quotes to the waiting press.
"I think this is the day of my dreams. What's my dream? To have my debut and score a goal like that. I really enjoyed it," he said, in stilted English.
Somewhat patronisingly, the interviewer gave the man of the match champagne to Gary Neville, on the understanding that Kiko is too young to drink. Recognising the value of symbolism, Gary immediately handed the bottle to the boy half his age.
Neville has been through the limelight before, of course. He knows what pressures - and what delights - await a natural talent. So too does coach Sir Alex Ferguson, who was deliberately muted in his post-match talk about Federico. After all, one goal does not make a career. But if we have more strikes like this to look forward to - and all indicators are that we do - then we are on the verge of seeing a very special player.
Step forward, Federico Macheda: your time has come.
Ewan Macdonald, Goal.com
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