Manchester United waved goodbye to Federico Macheda many years ago but he appears to still have Sir Alex Ferguson’s mindset.
We have seen a number of young players hit major heights at Manchester United.
Some have continued to feature in the first team, such as Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo.
Others United youngsters fizzled out and headed elsewhere with Adnan Januzaj a prime example of a young talent who didn’t quite make it.
Januzaj enjoyed a stunning breakthrough but now finds himself in Spain with Las Palmas and has struggled to live up to his early promise at United.
Federico Macheda had an even more explosive start to life at United with a dramatic winner against Aston Villa before becoming something of a journeyman.
The story so far for Federico Macheda after Manchester United impact
Macheda’s goal against Villa will be remembered forever; United needed a goal and popped up with a brilliant swivel and finish to send Old Trafford wild.
United ended up winning the Premier League title by just four points with Macheda’s goal helping secure top spot.
Macheda would score just three more goals for United as that Villa goal – at the age of just 17 – proved to be his high point.
The Italian headed off on loan to Sampdoria, QPR, VfB Stuttgart, Doncaster Rovers and Birmingam City on loan before United waved goodbye to Macheda for good.
Macheda joined Cardiff City permanently in 2014 but struggled to make an impact both there and during a loan spell with Nottingham Forest.
A return to Italy with Novara materialised in 2016 before Macheda became a goalscoring star with Panathinaikos.
Spells with Ankaragucu and APOEL followed before Macheda joined Asteras Tripolis back in September.
Now 33, Macheda is still going strong and finding the net with regularity in Greece.
Federico Macheda celebrates last gasp winner
Macheda was on the scoresheet on Sunday as he helped Asteras Tripolis come from 1-0 down to beat Levadiakos 2-1.
The striker stepped up to score from the spot in the 94th minute to secure all three points.
Macheda has now taken to social media to react, stating ‘winners never quit’ alongside a photo of himself celebrating.
‘Kiko is on fire’ said former Panathinaikos teammate Anthony Mounier with he striker once again making an impact in Greece’s top flight.
Macheda’s message will certainly leave United fans thinking about the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The ‘winners never quit’ mantra was clear throughout the Ferguson reign and so many late goals went in to secure United results.
Macheda produced one of those memorable moments many years ago but is still harnessing that mentality late into his career.
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