Italian club sides Empoli and Cagliari want the services of Federico Macheda in the coming season.
The player had a stint in Italy that was largely disappointing. He played for Sampdoria in 2011 where he had 14 appearances but could only manage to score a goal. He returned to England to play for Cardiff City but Sport Italia says the 24-year old player is still wanted in the Serie A.
Macheda is mostly remembered for the screamer in England when he played for The Red Devils. Andy Gray said “Dare I say it – a star is born!” Federico Macheda scored a dramatic winner on his debut in 2009. Manchester United were seven points clear of second placed Liverpool with a game in hand. This was the situation on March the 14th. After three games, Rafa Benitez’s men overtook United following a stoppage-time victory just the day before.
The Red Devils came into the final game without their star player in Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. Gary Neville was 34 years old and was forced to play at centre back. They were to play Aston Villa and Martin O’Neil’s team were no pushovers with their towering player in John Carew. The game started well for United with a set piece converted by Portuguese star in Cristiano Ronaldo.
Carew out-jumped Neville to score an equalizer then Gabriel Agbonlahor struck beating Edwin van der Sar to send Villa into the lead. Old Trafford which was fully packed was stunned in silence and Villa were set to be the biggest upset of the season. Seventeen year old Macheda was sent into the game in the 61st minute for his debut, with many wondering what Ferguson had just done. Ronaldo scored again in the 80th minute to equalize but Ryan Giggs found Macheda and he scored the winner, helping the club equal Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles.
The player was praised for his efforts but that was it in the otherwise unspectacular career for the player. Seven years on and he has had six loan spells and is ended back to Italy.