Seventeen year old Federico Macheda’s injury-time touch, turn, and curling, clinical finish capped a most improbable come-back and provided a lovely counter-punch to Liverpool’s victory at Craven Cottage. If you thought “Federico who?!” you wouldn’t be alone today, as you can only guess how many folks across the globe learned for the first time that he joined United from Lazio’s academy in September 2007.
This result also, and most unfortunately, comes against the backdrop of more serious rumors of Ronaldo leaving, including several articles in The Guardian, such as Cristiano Ronaldo ready to leave for Real Madrid in £75m transfer. (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/apr/03/cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-transfer)
You can just sense the short- and long-term implications playing out now for the club over these next few months. So many trophies, so much young talent, and several critical question marks brewing in the wings give this moment an undeniable historic weight.
First, though, what an absolutely storybook debut for the young Federico, as his goal may be remembered as the seminal moment should United capture the Premier League title yet again this term. The Guardian’s Daniel Taylor aptly compared the goal’s potential gravity to Brucie’s header against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993 – a good and hopeful comparison. For me, I also see parallels in the foreshadowing of a great career, much like Rooney’s late thunderbolt against Arsenal as a sixteen year old sub for Everton.
Interestingly, Sir Alex’s mentioned before the match that "The boy Macheda is developing at a great rate of speed now, his performances for the reserves have been very good, he's a natural finisher and he'll definitely be on the bench at least with Welbeck." Thank God for the natural finisher today.
One of Fergie’s many impressive qualities is his willingness to give young talent a chance based on merit, even during the season’s most critical, come-from-behind moment to date. Score one for the gaffer and the lad.
Second, maybe it’s just me, but something seems amiss with the way United is handling the pressure of the current campaign, despite today’s victory. Players look mentally fatigued, quite possibly from added travel this year or possibly from some internal tension. Not animosity between players, mind you, but some lingering, unresolved questions playing upon the psyche of United.
Consider that, arguably, nobody within the club is more beloved than Carlos Tevez, who remains unsigned despite stating his long-term interest in staying with the club much to his agent’s chagrin.
Consider that nobody is more important to United’s attacking vigor than Ronaldo, who continues his transfer soap opera through his agents and family, with more credible rumors emerging now.
Consider that nobody is more important to United than Sir Alex Ferguson, who, at the age of 67, cannot take his health for granted no matter how hard we pray for him.
Throughout the year, I’ve felt all along that Sir Alex convinced Ronaldo to play out the year, as United wouldn’t budge about any transfers. I also suspect that Sir Alex likely pledged to re-address talks about his future after this season, as SAF bought time to convince Ronnie his best interests lay at Old Trafford.
However, Ronaldo's two primary reasons for wanting to leave United remain valid, as quoted in his interview with Bruno Prata in Publico last August: “I felt that maybe I needed a new challenge. I never hid the fact that I wanted to play in Spain, at Real Madrid in particular, and I thought this could be the right moment... Apart from the challenge, everyone realizes that Spanish and Portuguese culture and lifestyle are more similar.”
Ronaldo chose not to leave against United’s wishes this year, but what about this summer? If the rumors appearing now have any credibility, how far will Ronnie go this off-season to make his dream move a reality?! Remember, he didn’t rule out moving to Madrid in the future because "nothing is set in stone."
Love him or hate him, but everyone at United knows Ronaldo is irreplaceable within the current squad. You just wonder if, along with a more demanding schedule, the current uncertainties weigh on the players minds.
Today, we witnessed one great escape at the hands of a youngster. Tomorrow, we hope that two escapes will be thwarted through new contract extensions.
Here’s to singing about That Boy Ronaldo and That Man from Argentina for many years to come. Cheers.
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