Federico Macheda Mentioned On BBC 5 Live Podcast

I was recently listening to the BBC 5 Live Football Daily Podcast (11th June edition), talking about Cristiano Ronaldo's imminent move to Real Madrid. As the discussion turned to whether Manchester United would miss Ronaldo's match winning abilities, Federico Macheda's name popped up.

Note: I don't like linking directly to the Podcast download, but it seems that the BBC don't have a permanent page to go along with their podcasts. The only have a single page which lists the last episode.

The position was put forward that over recent seasons Ronaldo had won many games off his own boot, which Manchester United would not have won otherwise. The question was posed whether the fans would miss Ronaldo's match winning abilities when they are in similar situations next season.

The response, by Liam Bradford (the Assistant Editor of the Red News Fanzine), was as follows:

I suppose it's a possibility, but we were in a position that we didn't want to be in at Christmas time this season and we were pulled out of the mire not by Cristiano Ronaldo, but by a lad called Federico Macheda, against Aston Villa, so there are other players there.

Now, that's not in any way suggesting that Macheda himself will ever replace Ronaldo, it's just saying that there are some other very talented players at Manchester United. However, it was interesting that Federico Macheda was the example used.

I think Kiko is a very exciting player and one who will go on to become a great player - although I'll stop short of suggesting that he can reach Ronaldo's level. Ronaldo has to be one of the best players to have ever played the game. A pity that his attitude let him down.

Maybe Ronaldo leaving will mean more time for youngsters such as Macheda, although there are still a lot of talented strikers in front of him and Alex Ferguson has at least £50 million burning a hole in his pocket, so we'll have to wait and see what transpires.

Anyway, if Ronaldo doesn't want to be here, then we're better off without him. We'll just rely on Fergie's wisdom, the rest of the squad and the bright young stars that he's already brought to the club, including Federico Macheda.