Sir Alex Ferguson is debating whether to hand Federico Macheda his first Premier League start at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Italian teenager has enjoyed an explosive beginning to his United career, scoring winning goals against Aston Villa and Sunderland on his first two substitute appearances.
Although the 17-year-old was not quite as impressive on his first senior start in the FA Cup semi-final Ferguson said: "I was delighted with Macheda's performance at Wembley. Playing your first full game somewhere like that is very difficult but he has done fantastically well."
Paul Scholes, Park Ji-sung and Ben Foster, all unused substitutes in Wednesday's Champions League win over Arsenal, are set to be included, along with Nani, who did not make the bench.
Wes Brown will also be drafted into a squad almost certainly denied the services of Rio Ferdinand with a rib injury.
Macheda offers a vision of the future, his last-gasp strike to overcome Villa contending with Wayne Rooney's Champions League hat-trick against Fenerbahce in 2004 as one of the best debut performances Ferguson has ever seen.
"I don't think I have ever seen a better debut goal than that," said Ferguson. "For a young lad of 17 to come on and score a great goal like that was incredible.
"I don't think you can match scoring a hat-trick as Wayne did. But the difference was he had a bit of experience with Everton and England prior to that. Macheda had none.
"He has the instinct of knowing what to do and when to do it. Against Villa he did not just score, he made an impact on the game with his general play.
"He has certainly proved he is ready."
Comment 1 - 8 of 8
Whoever SAF puts out against Boro today let's hope they could deliver. With just a few games left any hiccups now may not be so good for Man United's chances of retaining the BPL Championship.
dazmanutd
From my club's perspective, i totally and 100% agree with you!!!!
Plus it will be unfair if the Old Soak play's his reserves against this lot thus jeopardising a surefire 3 points.
You never know, we might do you a favour on Sunday, it's a funny old game as they say (then again, maybe not!).
As for you,
footyfan4eva - don't you know no shame; have you no pride woman begging like that!!!!!!
dont mess about with the team fergie play a strong side and get the goals then put the likes of macheda park and brown later dont play nani as he is garbage and doesnt chase back and help cover the fullback as he is lazy we need the points and dont want liverfool with something to play for plus we need to win as this is the first time we have played before them in weeks so get the job done then change the team as boro are not roll over merchants and are fighting for there lives
everyone on here we boro are desperate we need the points more than you to survive in this league so do us a favour and play your lower ability players we will cope with macheda we just hope that ronaldo or rooney or all your good players arent playin
Hes young,and a potential super sub after hes viewed 60 mins of the game.play tevez instead.He scares defenders,and that is what we will need against boro who also need the points,even more than united you could argue.
?
i Hope he plays. Fergie got it wrong in the FA cup semi final, let us hope he gets it wrong again. he has not yet realised that his second string, is exactly that, a second string.
Boro are desperate, Fergie should not treat them likely
MaChedA should play against Boro.. I bet him can score a hatrick..
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account