8 Manchester United teenagers who scored on their club debut

#2 Federico Macheda

Macheda scored the winner for Man Utd in two succesive games in 2008-09

Manchester United signed Italian forward Federico Macheda from Lazio as a player for the future. However, the youngster’s performance for the reserve side urged Sir Alex Ferguson to name him on the bench for a league game against Aston Villa on 5 April 2009.

The significance of this particular game was huge. United had lost their previous two league games and Liverpool were breathing down their neck in the race for the league title. In fact, one of the two defeats United faced was a 4-1 beating at the hands of Liverpool at Old Trafford.

United were trailing the game 2-1 at the hour mark and Macheda made his debut for United as a substitute for Nani. United drew level in the 80th minute through Ronaldo and were searching for a winner desperately.

With seconds left on the clock, Macheda received the ball inside the box from Ryan Giggs. With his first touch, he took the ball away from the defender and scored with his next touch while he was on the turn.

His next appearance for United was in their very next league game and once again Macheda scored the winner. These were his only goals for United that season, but it saved four very important points for the club as United won the league title by four points in the end.

Macheda’s goal against Villa gave United the much-needed momentum and lift to go on and clinch the league as they scored 22/24 points since their win against Aston Villa.