Macheda strikes again

Manchester United did just enough to slip by Sunderland courtesy of another winning goal by the 17-year-old starlet, Federico Macheda. Federico Macheda climbed off the bench to snatch victory for the second time in a week . The 17 year old Italian is on the top of the world now 2 goals in 2 appearances that too winning goals .Having proved the match winner in last Sunday's late comeback against Aston Villa, Macheda deflected United's second goal just moments after his introduction at the Stadium of Light to secure the points after Kenwyne Jones had cancelled out Paul Scholes' opener.


With one eye on next Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie against Porto, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson rested keeper Edwin Van der Sar, left-back Patrice Evra and winger Cristiano Ronaldo.There was also no Rio Ferdinand because of injury but Jonny Evans passed a late fitness test and partnered Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence, while striker Dimitar Berbatov was handed a shock start despite pre-match reports of an ankle problem.

It took United until the 15th minute to create the first real chance but Danny Collins superbly cleared Vidic's header off the line from Rooney's inswinging corner.
However, United were in front under a minute later as Rooney was afforded far too much time and space on the left flank and curled in a teasing right-footed cross which found Scholes, who looped a near-post header over Gordon for the opener.

The equaliser arrived with 55 minutes gone when Foster failed to claim Teemu Tainio's cross under pressure from Jones, and the striker stabbed the ball into the empty net to peg the visitors back.Scholes smashed a volley wide and Carlos Tevez curled a free-kick over, and it took a fine block by Bardsley to keep out the Argentinian's 63rd-minute effort after Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov had combined to play him in.

it was Macheda's arrival as a 75th-minute replacement for Berbatov which changed the game.The youngster had been on the pitch for just seconds when he steered Carrick's shot past the helpless Gordon to further enhance his blossoming reputation.