Apparently, there's some small sporting event kicking off in London (we've sent our top
reporters T.Cleverly and R.Giggs to check this out), but on the other side of the world, United are
in pre-season. Already having thrashed Amazulu 1-0 with Kiko Macheda's goal, and a 1-1 affair with
Ajax Cape Town, this match notched the level into serious.
Federico Macheda has returned to Manchester United following yet another disappointing spell
away on loan. The season before last he went to Sampdoria where he got just 16 games and scored
only 1 goal in a season which saw the Italian club relegated.
Last season Neil Warnock brought him to QPR in the January, only to be sacked last than a week
later, leaving Kiko to play in six games in all competitions.
"There is a lot of competition at Manchester United, there are some very good strikers
there," Kiko said. "But I am still young and I need to get more experience in the Premier
League. I am here to train hard firstly and then I hope to play a big part in the games.
It barely makes up for the chaotic week gone by where Manchester United were knocked out of the
Champions League, where Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for the season and where the author of this
post dropped the last piece of his birthday cake (Belgian chocolate, thanks for asking) on the
kitchen floor but the 4-1 win over Wolves goes some way in reassuring fans even those who have
had to experience an endless line of shoddy birthdays (naming no names) that things aren't totally
bad.
It barely makes up for the chaotic week gone by where Manchester United were knocked out of the
Champions League, where Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for the season and where the author of this
post dropped the last piece of his birthday cake (Belgian chocolate, thanks for asking) on the
kitchen floor but the 4-1 win over Wolves goes some way in reassuring fans even those who have had
to experience an endless line of shoddy birthdays (naming no names) that things aren't totally
bad.
Crystal Palace made it into the semi-finals of the Carling Cup for the first time in a decade
after beating Manchester United 2-1 in extra-time at Old Trafford last night.
After a dull first-half, Darren Ambrose put Palace one up in the 65th minute with a 30-yard
'Darren Ambrose Goalâ„¢' shortly before Kiko Macheda hauled United back level a few minutes later
by both winning and sticking away a penalty.
Before kick off, there was panic. The team selection was baffling; for such an intense rivalry,
this wasn't the way to go. Fans wanted to see a side strong enough to avenge Leeds United on their
1-0 FA Cup victory the last time these two sides met – rather than a makeshift one. As it
happened, it barely mattered that United had players out of position or lined up in a lopsided
formation.
Nolito has got off to a quick start with Portuguese side Benfica (Photo: Francisco Seco/AP)
Back again to take a look at some of our players playing abroad. I will be adding Henrique and
Keirrison to the list of players to watch and will update about their Brazilian adventures as best
as I can.
Disclaimer:Â I'd like to say that I'm not a Harry Potter fan, and I do not know why the
title ended up sounding like one of them books. Or movies. But this could become a series... just a
thought.
There's a lot to be said for US sports programs and their focus on athletics from a very young
age.
Manchester United young Italian striker, Federico Macheda, had what he consider as a nightmare
loan season at Sampdoria, but "Kiko" admitted that it actually gives him another step to maturity
that hopefully can make him stay at Old Trafford in the upcoming season.
The Italian under 21 striker revealed that the different mentality in Serie A is what in the end
cost him the failure in getting much playing time but he is ready to fight for a place now at
United.
Manchester United soundly thrashed New England Revolution 4-1 in a friendly last night, with Ash
Young making his debut, Michael Owen scoring for the first time since god knows when, Kiko Macheda
notching two in the space of six second-half minutes and Park Ji-Sung chipping home to cap a
delightful passing move though the star of the show was definitely this tubby little chap.
Spending an unsuccessful short spell in Serie A seems to left a huge disappointment for
Manchester United's Federico "Kiko" Macheda, who isn't that keen in playing in Italy again next
summer as he wants a premier league return.
Macheda doesn't rule out a return to his native country in the future, but for the time being he
believes it's best for him to get experiences in England instead, because he believes the Premier
League is a better place to play for young players like him.
Federico Macheda's agent, Giovanni Bia, has conceded that the player's loan spell has been an
unsuccessful one due to the pressure he was under.
When he joined the club on loan at the beginning of the year they were 8th, however, they have
felt the departure of Antonio Cassano, who left for AC Milan a month before Kiko's arrival.
"I don't know why it hasn't worked for me at Sampdoria, perhaps people expected that I would
replace Cassano," said Macheda. "But I'm not Cassano, I am Macheda. And the Italian football, the
tactics, is different to the English. I prefer the English, more physical and faster. The chief
scout from United does come to Italy to watch me play.
Welcome to our Wednesday Gossip special, brought to you by the dapper Xabi Alonso! This week, read
about Ronaldo and Irina's date, Sergio Ramos' girlfriend, Fernando Torres questionable style, Frank
Lampard's daughters and more.
Following Real Madrid's victorious celebrations over the weekend, Xabi
Alonso appeared at a Hugo Boss event in Madrid to promote their new fragrance on
Monday.
Davide Petrucci, who has had a great season for the Reserves and has received a few shouts be
worthy of a place on the pre-season, has spoken of his delight at being a Manchester United
player.
"It's my dream. I would love to play for United," he told the official site. "That
is my aim and my target for the moment.
Davide Petrucci, who has had a great season for the Reserves and has received a few shouts be
worthy of a place on the pre-season, has spoken of his delight at being a Manchester United
player.
"It's my dream. I would love to play for United," he told the official site. "That
is my aim and my target for the moment.
Federico Macheda's agent Giovanni Bia has today claimed that the striker will be off on loan in
January when the transfer window opens.
After a disappointing time on loan with Sampdoria, Bia claims that the Italian striker won't be
returning to his homeland on loan again, but will probably accept one of the offers that has come
in for him.
FC Barcelona won the 46th edition of the annual pre-season friendly Joan Gamper tournament at
Camp Nou with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Napoli. With this victory Barca has won the trophy which
is named after the founder of the club for the 35th time. For Guardiola it's not a bad trophy to
win, as the last two times he won the same, he went on to win the Champion League as a coach.
The Spanish League's calendar has been out and we will be travelling to Malaga in the opening
fixture of our title defense on the 21st of August. We will be aiming to win our fourth successive
La Liga title and equal the record of the Cryuff's Dream Team. The first Clasico match which is
going to be held at Camp Nou is scheduled on the 11th of December.
SPANISH FOOTBALL has a new name to its long list of future young up & coming Football stars, KIKO
FEMENIA, 20 year old Spain International just signed by FC BARCELONA from Club HERCULES. Many will
not know the name or the player but the "kid" has already played 33 matches for Hercules that has
been recently relegated to the 2º Division after playing in all last season in La Liga.
We know that there is an entire world of undiscovered talent and hotness in lower divisions and
lesser known leagues. While international competitions like the Euro U21 brought us new pretties
like Yann Sommer, we can't help but wonder about all of the other 'ballers who are missing out on
our lusty affection.
