Macheda dismisses Lazio link
Federico Macheda has brushed off speculation suggesting he could be on his way to Lazio in January.
The Italian striker has often been linked with a return to his homeland since making the breakthrough at Manchester United towards the end of the 2008/09 campaign.
With limited opportunities available to him at Old Trafford, reports have claimed that he may look to move on once the transfer window re-opens.
The likes of Bologna and Palermo have been linked with approaches in the past, but Macheda's profile continues to rise and the quality of his admirers is on the up.
Serie A giants Lazio are the latest name to be mentioned as a possible destination for the 19-year-old striker.
Macheda, though, insists he is happy at Old Trafford and has no intention of securing a switch any time soon.
Having already made a handful of first-team appearances for United this term, he believes he is an important part of Sir Alex Ferguson'splans and remains determined to make his mark in the Premier League.
"Will I be joining Lazio in the January transfer market? No, I don't think so," Macheda told Ansa.
"Ferguson has said that I am not for sale.
"What can I say, I am very pleased to hear that, especially as these words have come from a coach with the charisma and history of Ferguson."
Latest Forum Comments
Have your say on Macheda dismisses Lazio link in the United Online forum
Fergie is building a team to last for the next few years and beyond his retirement, and he clearly sees Macheda as having potential to be part of that - although he's got a long way to go yet, in the Mestalla he once again showed that he is the kind of player you can turn to when you need a goal. I noticed elsewhere that it looks like Cleverley will be back in January, which is great news (although of course it comes mainly because of Valencia's injury) - based on Fergie's team selections so far he is sure to get a couple of opportunities to start and show what he is made of. Even Bebe has had a run out in the Prem now (which I wasn't expecting until at least January, regardless of Rooney's form and injury situation) and the more I see of Smalling the more he looks like an astute buy, although right now we need the stability of Rio and Vidic. We may not be setting the league alight but we're well positioned and this team will only get better. My only doubts are in the midfield engine room, but if either Anderson and Gibson takes a leaf from Fletcher's book in terms of knuckling down and learning the game from the great players they find around them, then we'll be sorted.
- fenwar
Current Premiership Table
Team | P | W | D | L | PTS | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chelsea | 21 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 52 |
2 | Tottenham Hotspur | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 45 |
3 | Liverpool | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 45 |
4 | Arsenal | 21 | 13 | 5 | 3 | 44 |
5 | Manchester City | 21 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 42 |
6 | Man Utd | 21 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 40 |
7 | Everton | 21 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 33 |
8 | West Brom | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 29 |
9 | Stoke City | 21 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 27 |
10 | Burnley | 21 | 8 | 2 | 11 | 26 |
11 | AFC Bournemouth | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 25 |
12 | West Ham | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 25 |
13 | Southampton | 21 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 24 |
14 | Watford | 21 | 6 | 5 | 10 | 23 |
15 | Leicester City | 21 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 21 |
16 | Middlesbrough | 21 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 20 |
17 | Crystal Palace | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 16 |
18 | Hull City | 21 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 16 |
19 | Sunderland | 21 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 15 |
20 | Swansea | 21 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 15 |