Federico Macheda

Federico \"Kiko\" Macheda is an Italian footballer who plays as a striker for English club Manchester United. Born in Rome, Macheda began his career with local club Lazio but joined Manchester United when he turned 16 in 2007. Macheda went straight into the Manchester United Under-18 side, and scored the only goal of the game on his debut, a 1–0 away win over Barnsley on 15 September 2007. On 12 May 2008, Macheda earned a Manchester Senior Cup winners\' medal when he was named as an unused substitute for the 2–0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the final. Macheda signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on his 17th birthday in August 2008. Towards the end of the season, Macheda scored eight goals in eight games, including a hat-trick in a 3–3 draw with Newcastle United on 30 March 2009. Macheda was named as the Jimmy Murphy Academy Player of the Year in recognition of his performances in the under-18s, the reserves and the first team. On 8 January 2011, Sampdoria confirmed Macheda had joined on loan until the end of the season. On 19 January, Macheda scored his first and only Sampdoria goal on his first start for the club, as he opened the scoring in their Coppa Italia tie against Udinese. On 2 January 2012, Macheda was loaned out to Queens Park Rangers for the rest of the season. Macheda is also an Italian youth international, having made appearances for the national Under-16, Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 teams. He made his Under-21 debut in August 2009 in a friendly against Russia, and scored his first goals for the team just over a year later in a match against Turkey.