In 2009, Manchester United battled with Liverpool and Chelsea to win a third consecutive Premier League title, and found themselves reliant on the unlikeliest of sources to salvage a season which was edging towards collapse.
Step forward Federico Macheda — an untried 17-year-old who Alex Ferguson gave a chance — and it’s a moment we’re sure will live long in the former manager’s memory.
Our bid to win the title was losing momentum. Today we ask was the decision to introduce Macheda for his debut against Aston Villa an inspired call, or was it an act of desperation from a manager with few other options? Or was it a bit of both?
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Looking back at the goal, shared today on Twitter by @ManUtd as their goal of the day, Macheda’s first touch provided enough of a change of direction to leave Luke Young flat-footed, and then the exquisite finish.
𝓕𝓮𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓬𝓸 𝓜𝓪𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓭𝓪 ✨
That’s it. That’s the tweet.#MUFC #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/ESDM3FUvia
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 5, 2020
I still watch it over and over to this very day.
“I think this is the day of my dreams — to score a goal like that on my debut,” Macheda said after the match (via The Metro).
Listen to this week’s podcast – Strettycast is also available on iTunes and Spotify.
