Macheda signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on his 17th birthday in August 2008. In the 2008–09 season, he continued in the under-18 side, while also making a few appearances for the reserves. Towards the end of the season, Macheda enjoyed an extended run in the reserve team, scoring eight goals in eight games, including a hat-trick in a 3–3 draw with Newcastle United on 30 March 2009, and he was rewarded by being selected for the first team for the match against Aston Villa on 5 April. **With United 2–1 down heading into the final third of the game, manager Alex Ferguson brought Macheda on to replace Nani just after the hour mark. After Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for United in the 80th minute, Macheda won the match with a turn to evade his marker followed by a curling effort from just inside the penalty area in the third minute of injury time.**
Was working in my local boozer as a barman at the time. I remember being very distracted and agitated for the whole game (mainly because I couldn’t properly watch the game, and was most likely very hungover). This was beginning to, in turn, irritate our lovely clientele, many of whom were Liverpool fans revelling in how the game appeared to be transpiring.
Needless to say I ran around like a fucking lunatic when Macheda scored. One of those Liverpool fans looked like he wanted to jump the bar and throttle me. Fucking great day! 😂
Boydcrowde on
17 years ago? 2003 was a great year
_swaggyk on
I spy with my little eyes our two most recent head coaches, albeit interim/care taker roles & our ballon d’or CB Johnny Evans even!
Flagon_dragon on
I was on my honeymoon, watching in the hotel bar
KobbieLikeRobbie_ on
I think I started believing in god from this moment onwards.
Various-Low4016 on
Fergie used to win matches with so many relatively young and unknown players during ’06-’13, it was coaching and management of the highest class. Not sure we’ll see something like this anytime soon.
Cryptic-One on
Makes me feel ancient! I remember this moment and how I felt at the time. Very next game he scores another clutch goal against Sunderland. Liverpool fans must have been sick.
Really wanted him to push become a mainstay in the team, but alas those goals ended up being his peak. I’ll always have fond memories of him.
EsteTre on
So many in the video on staff
wishesandhopes on
I was a kid watching with my dad, we never had a good relationship but this goal brings tears to my eyes because it’s one of the few genuinely good memories we have. I thought Macheda was about to be the next Ronaldo, with all the foresight a kid has.
19ninteen8ightyone on
I was there and no way was this 17 years ago 🥹
bigpasc1 on
I was there that day, fantastic scenes
tson_92 on
Ashley Young was great in this game. I always wanted him since his Watford days, and was very glad he eventually joined, albeit a bit late.
DrumEater35 on
I remember this like it was yesterday. The absolute THRILL of watching that goal go in is forever seared into my memory. Goosebumps every single I time I watch it back 🙌
DLMUFC on
Should be a bannable offence posting this without the Martin Tyler comms
throwaway112112312 on
I love everything about this goal. The way he receives the ball and turns, such a classic striker goal.
![[Man Utd] On This Day 17 years ago, Federico Macheda provided us with an iconic PL moment](https://www.eucup.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Zm1udTFxeDRpZHRnMT2lXG6kPOw8IwG7rnc2cwws08z7re58aWqaHhrL4MjS-864x1536.png "[Man Utd] On This Day 17 years ago, Federico Macheda provided us with an iconic PL moment")
16 Comments
Match Highlights:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0dg-wNInCY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0dg-wNInCY)
From his Wiki:
Macheda signed his first professional contract with Manchester United on his 17th birthday in August 2008. In the 2008–09 season, he continued in the under-18 side, while also making a few appearances for the reserves. Towards the end of the season, Macheda enjoyed an extended run in the reserve team, scoring eight goals in eight games, including a hat-trick in a 3–3 draw with Newcastle United on 30 March 2009, and he was rewarded by being selected for the first team for the match against Aston Villa on 5 April. **With United 2–1 down heading into the final third of the game, manager Alex Ferguson brought Macheda on to replace Nani just after the hour mark. After Cristiano Ronaldo equalised for United in the 80th minute, Macheda won the match with a turn to evade his marker followed by a curling effort from just inside the penalty area in the third minute of injury time.**
BBC Match Report:
[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7972801.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7972801.stm)
Was working in my local boozer as a barman at the time. I remember being very distracted and agitated for the whole game (mainly because I couldn’t properly watch the game, and was most likely very hungover). This was beginning to, in turn, irritate our lovely clientele, many of whom were Liverpool fans revelling in how the game appeared to be transpiring.
Needless to say I ran around like a fucking lunatic when Macheda scored. One of those Liverpool fans looked like he wanted to jump the bar and throttle me. Fucking great day! 😂
17 years ago? 2003 was a great year
I spy with my little eyes our two most recent head coaches, albeit interim/care taker roles & our ballon d’or CB Johnny Evans even!
I was on my honeymoon, watching in the hotel bar
I think I started believing in god from this moment onwards.
Fergie used to win matches with so many relatively young and unknown players during ’06-’13, it was coaching and management of the highest class. Not sure we’ll see something like this anytime soon.
Makes me feel ancient! I remember this moment and how I felt at the time. Very next game he scores another clutch goal against Sunderland. Liverpool fans must have been sick.
Really wanted him to push become a mainstay in the team, but alas those goals ended up being his peak. I’ll always have fond memories of him.
So many in the video on staff
I was a kid watching with my dad, we never had a good relationship but this goal brings tears to my eyes because it’s one of the few genuinely good memories we have. I thought Macheda was about to be the next Ronaldo, with all the foresight a kid has.
I was there and no way was this 17 years ago 🥹
I was there that day, fantastic scenes
Ashley Young was great in this game. I always wanted him since his Watford days, and was very glad he eventually joined, albeit a bit late.
I remember this like it was yesterday. The absolute THRILL of watching that goal go in is forever seared into my memory. Goosebumps every single I time I watch it back 🙌
Should be a bannable offence posting this without the Martin Tyler comms
I love everything about this goal. The way he receives the ball and turns, such a classic striker goal.