Manchester United starlet Macheda seals loan move to Stuttgart

Manchester United youngster Federico Macheda has been loaned out to Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart for the remainder of the season.

The 21-year old is currently the leading scorer for United’s Under-21 team this season, but has found his first team opportunities limited, given United’s strong four-pronged attack consisting of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck.

Stuttgart, on the other hand, have had an indifferent season, and lie 10th in the Bundesliga table. Looking to bolster their strike options, they found Macheda to be the perfect fit, and were keen on the starlet since the start of the January transfer window.

“We have been watching him for a while now,” the club’s director of sport Fredi Bobic said recently. “He is one of the players we have on our shortlist.”

The Italian youngster, too seemed keen to go on loan and earn some crucial first-team minutes.

“I have followed the Bundesliga and naturally know about Stuttgart,” Macheda said. “I am glad that I can now play for the club.

“For me, it is about getting to know the team and what I can bring, because we have a lot of interesting games in three different competitions in front of us.”

This will not be the first time that Macheda will spend time away on loan, having been sent out to Sampdoria and Queens Park Rangers in the last two seasons.