I’ve made some horrible predictions in the past. (1) Cesc Fabregas would never become as good a player as Edgar Davids, (2) Cristiano Ronaldo would spurn the lures of Real Madrid and (3) I would one day lift the European Cup for Manchester United in the Bernabeu having finished top scorer in the European Cup. Sadly, not all predictions come true (although technically one is still possible – you know where I am Fergie) but I am putting my neck out on this one – Federico Macheda, in three years time, will be one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League.
He may be more greasier looking than Cristiano Ronaldo, look like a smarmy waiter eying up your wife and appears in low-budget music videos – but, by God, the boy can play. There aren’t many players who excite me at such a young age. Cristiano Ronaldo was one, Paul Scholes another and the chubster – formerly know as Ronaldo another – however Macheda also falls into that category. He came off the bench last season to score the winner against Aston Villa and became a sensation over night. He followed up his sublime finish with a spontaneous toe poke at Sunderland – to give United a 2-1 lead. Since then his performances have been limited to the League Cup and apparent weaker opposition in the Champions League.
It could have all been so different had Macheda not scored that hattrick for the reserves against Newcastle United combined with United’s injury problems in the build up to the Villa game. Any savy Red that uses the Internet on daily basis will no doubt track and monitor the progress of United youngsters on the Man United Youth Blog and it is clear that Macheda is a favourite amongst a talented group of lads. His strength, innovation and finishing are key factors in what makes him such a special talent. He may only have come on the first team scene in April and has been criticised, by some sources, for letting fame go to his head a tad – but there is no doubting the potential of the lad.
Paolo Rossi, Gianni Rivera, Sandro Mazzola, Roberto Baggio, Giuseppe Meazza and Andrea Silenzi (ok I couldn’t think of any comical United Italian forwards) are all Italian football legends through out the ages and I can see Macheda breaking into the Italian squad after the World Cup finals next year. By reeling off all of those names, excluding Silenzi, you may think I have gone completely mental and like many fickle fans – I am totally over exaggerating what the young Italian could achieve. However, as mentioned previously, when he gets on the ball I get that feeling that something could happen. His combination of strength, pace and confidence makes him a Manchester United player and a striker with bags of potential. Lazio were obviously livid at losing such a talent - but lets be honest, their loss is most certainly our gain. Of course I would be frustrated in losing such a star to a foreign team, but moving from Lazio – a side who have only won two Championships in their entire history – to trophy winning Manchester United and, lets be honest, the lure of the Lira (even though obviously no one even uses that currency any more – it just sounds better).
This is where I want your opinion on Macheda, his body shape and style remind me of Karim Benzema at times – who in turn reminds a lot of people of a young Ronaldo. His two goals last season showed us quite possibly one of his greatest strengths as a striker – his ability to score different goals. Mark Hughes didn’t score many goals – but when he did they flew in. Overhead kicks, volleys and powerful drives where all part of the Welshman’s artillery. On the other hand, Gary Lineker would score bucket loads of goals but rarely spectacular goals. He would make the same run, time and time again – eventually it paid off. Macheda showed that he could score a wonder goal, combining skillful technique (Cryuff turn), balance and strike and a horrible flick of the toe to score a awfully ugly goal. This is what I feel bodes well for the future – he can do everything you want from a striker. These variations combined with his ability to hold the ball up and drive at players – is why I think he can go on to become the top scorer in the Premier League come three years. If it doesn’t work out he can always fall back on his low budget music videos with scantly clothed ladies?
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Andy Francos, Manchester United. Manchester United said: Stretford-end >> Why Federico Macheda will win the golden boot one day http://bit.ly/7IJD9k [...]
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Great blog mate.
Kiko has great promise and yeah, I suppose that’s right, the hat-trick against Newcastle in the reserves really propelled him into the managers thoughts at such a fateful time.
From his first two appearances last season I thought he would turn out to be a fox in the box but he’s shown a real willingness to join in. Yes, that was on display against Villa but you could have dismissed his energetic display as debut exuberance.
His performances have been more rounded since those first two showings and I think he’s eager to show there’s more to his game, which is brilliant to see, however I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more of that instinct and basically giving the defenders a nightmare instead of showing that he is capable on the ball. We know that, Kiko, now go rough ‘em up! Hah.
The 4 year contract is brilliant news and I hope we get more out of him. If he stays focussed – and as you wrote, that may be a task in itself given his emergence – then he could very well go on to be one of, if not the best, striker in Europe.
Of course it goes without saying that no matter what happens he has his place in history at United but it would be a crying shame – to himself, first and foremost – if he doesn’t apply himself and make the most out of that considerable talent.
This is a kid with frightening potential, just look at the way he accelerated through the youth ladders, so let’s hope for all parties concerned that he does fulfil that potential.
And re: your application for striker, come on mate, you know the rules, we apply as a strike pair or not at all, don’t start whoring yourself in there now!
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I think if we manage to keep him and keep his head clear until he is late 20′s he will score bucket loads. From the outside looking in SAF looks like a tight-arsed Scot, but when you think of the players coming through it would be madness to waste money on a Benzema when Macheda alone has the potential to be just as explosive and be, as you put it, a Manchester United player. I personally do not care if he looks like a bulldog chewing a wasp so long as he can play and he plays for us. SAF pulled a masterstroke getting Michael Owen in for the kids to learn from & in the short-term, he can slip in the odd match winner for us. Macheda will make it really big but he does seem like a nice kid who will handle it. After nurturing Beckham & Ronaldo, I’m sure SAF can spot the signs a mile away and will not allow him to take the mick. A point you may have not made is that he seems to be able to play anywhere across the front line…something SAF is very keen on and something he is looking for in Wellbeck too: maybe Ole is coaching it into them in the reserves? It’s our movement and pace of football (Like Arsenal on their day)that wins us games.
Excellent article.Comment by Lee — December 3, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
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Lee, I hadn’t thought of it in that way, but yes, the young lads could certainly learn a lot from Michael Owen. About Macheda, I’m not so sure. The Aston Villa goal was the greatest Man Utd moment last season, and you knew from that day where the title was going, but I feel that the guys need to sharpen their attack a little. Against Benfica, all of them, with the exception of Obertan, were guilty of losing the ball as soon as they got close to the Benfica 18. It was really frustrating, and even the senior team is guilty of it. I mean, apart from Giggs, which other player is guaranteed to give the killer pass that will help the striker score? I think Manutd right now are very much a team in progress, and a lot of work needs to go into redefining the team style.
Comment by Isaac — December 3, 2009 @ 6:09 pm
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I was first introduced to Macheda through Milk Cup last year. Three of our players represented South Coast Bayern (southern california club) at that tournament.
They played Man U in the final where Macheda did some damage. Our boys reported back that he was on a different level relative to his teammates.
The good news is he’s at a premier institution that can develop him. And if he continues getting action on the pitch, he’ll surely mature. My only hesitation is that there are many young “phenoms” out there that end up washing out. Time will tell!
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I dont have the time for pretenders but that villa goal from the lad remains the most amazing moment of football joy I have suffered recently.
It was too daring, an audacity! No one could see it coming.
The real challenge for this lad, is to keep his brains down;
That he may play, to play and play to play only. Its a huge challenge and I hope players like Giggs and other Scholes would, spare the time to tell him, he’s only revved up his engine.
The long journey starts from now; To be ontop of your game.
As for capability, I think I have seen that shops! and I like what I see.
Comment by Dapxin — December 4, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
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Isaac
I presume you mean Besiktas rather than Benfica?
Comment by Stretford-end — December 6, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
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[...] may prove invaluable experience to a very talent youngster. Stretford-end.com believe that Macheda could well become one of the top strikers in the Premier League in five years time. View [...]
Pingback by Federico Macheda on his way to Bologna on loan? « Manchester United Blog | The Stretty Rant — January 7, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
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[...] Macheda in ahead of Berbatov, however that was also very unlikely. We at The Stretty Rant think highly of the young Italian and I just felt with his knack of scoring vital goals with a limited amount of chances, it was [...]
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