Italian starlet Macheda inks new Utd deal

Italy under-21 striker Federico Macheda has been rewarded for helping Manchester United win last season’s Premier League title race with a four-year contract extension at Old Trafford.

The 18-year-old remains a peripheral member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-team squad but he underlined his potential with late winners against Aston Villa and Sunderland in key matches at the end of last season.

Ferguson said he was delighted to have secured Macheda’s services until at least June 2014.

“Everyone at the club recognises the fantastic talent he has and we hope to see that develop in the next few years, so he becomes a well rounded player,” Ferguson said.

Macheda, a product of Lazio’s youth system whose 2007 switch to United caused controversy in Italy, said he was happy to commit his future to the English club.

“I really enjoyed myself last season when I came on and I hope to get more chances like that and contribute to the team?s success,” he said.

Macheda made his fifth appearance of the season, and the ninth of his United career, when he came on as a substitute during the second half of United’s 2-0 League Cup quarter-final win over Tottenham on Tuesday.