SER MVP of the Week: Federico Macheda
Player Performance:
In what may be the most important goal and win of the season, Federico Macheda scored an injury-time winner which wins him this week’s SER MVP of the Week. However, before we talk about Macheda’s performance, we need to give you a little profile on the MVP of the Week. Federico Macheda is a 17 year old Italian, who was plucked up by Manchester United from the Lazio youth system a little over a year ago, and has been featuring in the Reserves ever since. He’s never been close to playing with the big boys until last week, when he scored a hat-trick against Newcastle in a Reserve Match. He got the call from Alex Ferguson, who’s had a problem with injuries and suspensions, and was put on the bench at the start of the match. In the 61st minute of the match, Fergy took a gamble and subbed Macheda in for Nani, who’d been invisible from the start, hoping that the teenager would bring some firepower to his team who were trailing 2-1. Federico made an immediate impact, scurrying every which way, trying to be involved in every play. His hustle paid off in the 3rd minute of a 5 minute injury-time, when Ryan Giggs played a ball to him right inside the box. He then Cruyff turned his defender and curled the ball around Brad Friedel’s outstretched palm, sealing an impressive victory, and making it the happiest moment in his brief life. This is what the 17 year old had to say after the match, “This is the day of my dreams. No one had heard of me before this, but that will have changed now. My life has changed.”
Match Summary:
Both Aston Villa and Manchester United came into the game coming off blips in their campaigns, including both sides’ trouncing by Liverpool. Man U needed a victory to go back to the league’s summit, while Villa needed 3 points to keep their Champions League dreams alive. It was all Villa at the start, who had most of the possesion, but when James Milner back passed it to Brad Friedel in the 13th minute, Ronaldo punished the mistake, by firing home the indirect free kick. Aston Villa responded by scoring at the half hour mark, when John Carew headed home Gareth Barry’s cracking cross. It remained a dead-lock until Gabriel Abonglahor nodded home in the 58 minute. United and their hero, Cristiano Ronaldo bounced back when the Portuguese winger slotted home with his left foot, picking up a brace and his 20th goal of the season. Then in a final push, Federico Macheda scored a brilliant goal, sealing the victory and assuring his side all 3 points.
Player’s Cleats:
Federico Macheda made himself an instant hero with the United fans when he struck a wonder goal with his Total 90 Laser II’s. You can buy your pair at soccer.com right here.
