Kiko Macheda

[datura]

His touch in the reserves and in friendly games is fine but whenever he has played for the first team he has struggled with his first touch.

Is he capable of exceptional touches? of course. He has the quick half turns either way and outside of the foot turns, he has it in his locker.. but can he do it consistently under pressure? he hasn't been able to do it so far.. has been very clumsy so far, but he is young and I'm a big fan of him. Just saying, for the future.. its one area he needs to bring up to scratch if he wants to secure a spot in the team.

Apart from his magic goal v Villa, he hasn't really demonstrated any magic against any opposition and I have to be honest I'm quite worried about that... I want to see more from him but I understand he's been injured alot and is still finding his feet.

He's a totally different case to Foster, who doesn't even have the mentality to play for this club. Macheda's mentality is excellent.

What is this obsession you have with 'magic' all the time? A striker just needs to score goals first and foremost, and he has proven that he can do that at the top level. His all round game is improving and he's easing his way back into the first team squad after an injury hit season.

His touch was fine against Blackburn, CSKA, Chelsea etc.

 

[Ruud_boy_10]

Macheda's first touch gives me nightmares. Apart from that touch v Villa.. its been average to say the least.

I hope its just nerves and not down to a lack of quality.

Very poor touch, the ball just keeps bouncing off him. I don't think he'll make the grade at united to be honest.

 

[golden_blunder]

rumour is that he is being seen in a Manchester Casino too often

Fergie wont be long in knocking that out of him

 

[Crerand Legend]

Very poor touch, the ball just keeps bouncing off him. I don't think he'll make the grade at united to be honest.

He needs to convince me yet but SAF seems to think a lot of him.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

His touch in the reserves and in friendly games is fine but whenever he has played for the first team he has struggled with his first touch.

Is he capable of exceptional touches? of course. He has the quick half turns either way and outside of the foot turns, he has it in his locker.. but can he do it consistently under pressure? he hasn't been able to do it so far.. has been very clumsy so far, but he is young and I'm a big fan of him. Just saying, for the future.. its one area he needs to bring up to scratch if he wants to secure a spot in the team.

Apart from his magic goal v Villa, he hasn't really demonstrated any magic against any opposition and I have to be honest I'm quite worried about that... I want to see more from him but I understand he's been injured alot and is still finding his feet.

He's a totally different case to Foster, who doesn't even have the mentality to play for this club. Macheda's mentality is excellent.

He's scored lots of important goals or 'what would have been' important goals in such a few games in the premier league it's quite amazing.

 

[Scholesy]

Very poor touch, the ball just keeps bouncing off him. I don't think he'll make the grade at united to be honest.

I agree.

Casinos and this, dont help my rating of him.

 

[Red Defence]

i don't think he's unsettled, but i talked to the lad the day before the CL final in rome and I asked him how he liked manchester..he loves the club, but dislikes the city, the weather, the women, and the food compared to rome.

If he's going off the rails slightly this season, i reckon its due to his injury. that's always tough for young lads to cope with. I still tip him for big things at united, he's the future. He has a winner mentality like ronaldo that you don't find with most.

Do you know which country his girlfriend lives in/comes from by any chance?

 

[MadDogg]

His touch in the reserves and in friendly games is fine but whenever he has played for the first team he has struggled with his first touch.

I think that's a bit harsh. His touch has been inconsistent, but it's not like it's been a notable weakness in every game he's played. Sunday was a day where he did struggle with it, but he's had other games where it has been much better.

 

[golden_blunder]

 

[golden_blunder]

tell you what, google his girlfriend.. not bad

 

[Raees]

What is this obsession you have with 'magic' all the time? A striker just needs to score goals first and foremost, and he has proven that he can do that at the top level. His all round game is improving and he's easing his way back into the first team squad after an injury hit season.

His touch was fine against Blackburn, CSKA, Chelsea etc.

He's proved it has he... a shot that deflected off him and another shot which was hit into his stomach and went in.

I don't want 30 yarders or expect them, I would've liked him to have put in some quality finishes or just trademark poachers goals by now.. just good chances/efforts on goal, a sign that he's dangerous.

He's young and he has been injured, so not many games where we can judge him by..

Coming off the bench, just due to his energy, he electrifys whats usually a dull game or we are struggling to assert ourselves. However whenever he has started, for me hasn't really demonstrated a good touch or showcased his shooting ability.

Sometimes fans who watch our reserves and youngsters get carried away with hyping youngsters, what you have to remember is the quality required to play for a club of Uniteds stature... someone like Berbatov with his exceptional talent, good international reputation and record and massive fee has struggled to start for United... yet we are supposed to jump on the bandwagon and think Kiko to be of the standard of Ruud and Rooney i.e. the quality expected by United (not saying he won't reach this standard btw).

His touch needs to be more consistent and I hope it happens, there is alot going for this lad, I can see why Fergie would want to invest time in him.

He's scored lots of important goals or 'what would have been' important goals in such a few games in the premier league it's quite amazing.

I refer to his goals.. which Villa game apart have been deflections.

 

[Nate Dogg]

We need to give Macheda a run out in the team to see if he is good enough.

If not we should send him out on loan to a PL side.

 

[redwhiteblack]

Needs a good run in the first team, and will hopefully get it next season.

 

[Diver]

I assume this might be a bit captain obvious and most have been pointed out before but some people are judging Macheda too harshly and aren't taking into consideration his young age.

I think he'll be a top player in a few years personally.

 

[BAMSOLA]

I think he needs to go to a championship club and perfect the art of consistant goal scoring. A season at that level followed by a season at a lower league prem side would be the making of him.

Has all the potential required to be an awesome striker, but for me he is 2 seasons off being a player who the first team can regularly rely on for goals either from the bench or in the starting lineup.

In short he needs to perfect his game at a lower level before staring for us on a consistant basis.

 

[datura]

He's proved it has he... a shot that deflected off him and another shot which was hit into his stomach and went in.

I don't want 30 yarders or expect them, I would've liked him to have put in some quality finishes or just trademark poachers goals by now.. just good chances/efforts on goal, a sign that he's dangerous.

He's young and he has been injured, so not many games where we can judge him by..

Coming off the bench, just due to his energy, he electrifys whats usually a dull game or we are struggling to assert ourselves. However whenever he has started, for me hasn't really demonstrated a good touch or showcased his shooting ability.

Sometimes fans who watch our reserves and youngsters get carried away with hyping youngsters, what you have to remember is the quality required to play for a club of Uniteds stature... someone like Berbatov with his exceptional talent, good international reputation and record and massive fee has struggled to start for United... yet we are supposed to jump on the bandwagon and think Kiko to be of the standard of Ruud and Rooney i.e. the quality expected by United (not saying he won't reach this standard btw).

His touch needs to be more consistent and I hope it happens, there is alot going for this lad, I can see why Fergie would want to invest time in him.

Every goal he has scored for the first team has been important, it doesn't matter how they go in.

I don't think anyone is overhyping him, it's impossible to judge how a player will develop at his age so you would be foolish to write him off or say he's a definite at present.

I don't know really why you wasted so many words saying so little.

 

[Baby Faced Assassin]

tell you what, google his girlfriend.. not bad

What an unfair world we live in!

 

[Raees]

Every goal he has scored for the first team has been important, it doesn't matter how they go in.

I don't think anyone is overhyping him, it's impossible to judge how a player will develop at his age so you would be foolish to write him off or say he's a definite at present.

I don't know really why you wasted so many words saying so little.

Who's written him off, I've merely stated what I feel he needs to improve on if he wants to make inroads into the first team.

It doesn't matter how they go in? Well luck runs out soon enough then you have to rely on ability and application and mental strength, which is what he'll be ultimately judged on. For me I have no doubts whatsoever with regards to his application and mentality, he's no pussy and loves the limelight.. its about whether he has the technique and ability to back it up. Next year I want to see him make it and prove he can score goals at this level which I have faith that he can do.. 5-10 goals.

 

[UnitedBoy]

What an unfair world we live in!

shes not on his facebook
cant be real

 

[Baby Faced Assassin]

shes not on his facebook
cant be real

Have you considered that maybe his FB is not real.

 

[blythy]

I don't think anyone is overhyping him, it's impossible to judge how a player will develop at his age so you would be foolish to write him off or say he's a definite at present.

...and yet people are doing just that: overhyping him.

That's modern football unfortunately.

 

[EspadaYdaga]

What an unfair world we live in!

she's got fat ankles.... gonna be a porker when she's older

 

[x42bn6]

Scores on the pitch
Scores off the pitch

 

[GledTheRed]

What an unfair world we live in!

Tekkers, good skills Kiko, jammy cnut.

 

[Dyslexic Untied]

she's got fat ankles.... gonna be a porker when she's older

Espada speaks the truth as always.

 

[Ruud_boy_10]

I would love to be proven wrong by this kid, I really would but I don't think I will.

Barring his moment of magic against villa, he's looked very poor IMHO. His first touch is really poor and I'm always sceptical of players with a poor first touch. I think that's the hardest skill to teach in football, you either have it or you don't. Unfortunately for us and the kid he aint got it.

 

[MacMUFC]

I still dont see the big deal about Macheda. Fergie basically calling him the second coming of Christ doesnt exactly help lower my expectations of him either.

 

[Decotron]

I assume this might be a bit captain obvious and most have been pointed out before but some people are judging Macheda too harshly and aren't taking into consideration his young age.

I think he'll be a top player in a few years personally.

Some sense...........


Alot of shite being spouted here about his touch etc. He's a fecking baby.
But for injuries he would have got alot more chances this season.

 

[Walrus]

if you want to get an idea of the guys age...

Giggs was playing football for Manchester United before Macheda was born.

 

[Joga_Bonito]

Would it be rude of me to question how many 90 minute matches some people have actually seen him in?

That would actually be a fair question for all of us, but at the very least, those who have watched him regularly in the U18's and reserves can say that they have seen him in consecutive games, and in other situations (though not at first team level, obviously) that are important when assessing a players potential.

And, of course, the manager and the coaching staff have been watching him in training for a couple of years, which will have allowed them to gain a decent understanding of his abilities. What it won't do, necessarily, is absolutely confirm that he has the capability to succeed at the highest level, but many of the things that you see in training and that you come to understand simply through communication with a player can be informative in that regard.

 

[Name Changed]

Would it be rude of me to question how many 90 minute matches some people have actually seen him in?

That would actually be a fair question for all of us, but at the very least, those who have watched him regularly in the U18's and reserves can say that they have seen him in consecutive games, and in other situations (though not at first team level, obviously) that are important when assessing a players potential.

And, of course, the manager and the coaching staff have been watching him in training for a couple of years, which will have allowed them to gain a decent understanding of his abilities. What it won't do, necessarily, is absolutely confirm that he has the capability to succeed at the highest level, but many of the things that you see in training and that you come to understand simply through communication with a player can be informative in that regard.

I agree with this man.

 

[MacMUFC]

I personally just dont think he'll be a Man Utd player in future, is there anything wrong in saying that? What some people dont realise, is that of the 6,000,000,000 people living on this planet, only a few hundreds are capable of playing for this club. So why is it that whenever somebody comes through to the first team, they automatically assume they're going to be here in the future, and if you disagree, you're crucfied (sometimes) for it?

He'll be a good player though, if I had to compare him to someone, it would be to Jermaine Defoe, but less greedy. I think he'll be close to his level in the future.

 

[datura]

...and yet people are doing just that: overhyping him.

That's modern football unfortunately.

People got far too carried away after the Villa strike, expecting him to repeat it every game and now the backlash has begun as they have realised that he is still very much a work in progress.

 

[datura]

I personally just dont think he'll be a Man Utd player in future, is there anything wrong in saying that? What some people dont realise, is that of the 6,000,000,000 people living on this planet, only a few hundreds are capable of playing for this club. So why is it that whenever somebody comes through to the first team, they automatically assume they're going to be here in the future, and if you disagree, you're crucfied (sometimes) for it?

He'll be a good player though, if I had to compare him to someone, it would be to Jermaine Defoe, but less greedy. I think he'll be close to his level in the future.

Surely just your point backs up that there is far too little evidence to make any valid judgement appraising a young players future on a scattering of appearances. The fact that he has made first team appearances at such a young age shows the faith that SAF has in him (and others) and his talent. No one is crucifying you, just questioning why you are so keen to write him off so early in his career?

If you are comparing him with Defoe, you really haven't watched him very often.

 

[Raees]

I personally just dont think he'll be a Man Utd player in future, is there anything wrong in saying that? What some people dont realise, is that of the 6,000,000,000 people living on this planet, only a few hundreds are capable of playing for this club. So why is it that whenever somebody comes through to the first team, they automatically assume they're going to be here in the future, and if you disagree, you're crucfied (sometimes) for it?
He'll be a good player though, if I had to compare him to someone, it would be to Jermaine Defoe, but less greedy. I think he'll be close to his level in the future.

Spot on with the bold, but jermaine Defoe?? Totally different type of player.

 

[MacMUFC]

If you are comparing him with Defoe, you really haven't watched him very often.

I'm comparing him to Defoe of a few seasons ago. Defoe has improved his build up play ten-fold, something Macheda will have to do.

They're similar in that they're good finishers, quick - while not the fastest - and take up intelligent positions while providing good movement. Macheda's weakness is that his overall play is very limited so far, regardless of his age, which is his biggest disadvantage. However, as i've said, this can be improved on, but will it happen quick enough before he's shown the door?

 

[x42bn6]

He has the mentality to play for the first-team in the future. He's not fazed by anything, a cool head, confident (if a cocky bastard).

His first touch is fine - he hadn't got a large number of minutes prior to Blackburn after his injury anyway, and rustiness was expected.

His movement and vision isn't bad either. Although sometimes he drifts too wide for my liking he's surprisingly good at finding space and knows exactly how to move around the penalty box.

Like all kids he's a little naive and sloppy at times, and lacks some sort of consistency.

His scoring at Reserves level is good and his all-round play is very good. He's not a lazy bugger nor a hot-head who rushes into stupid tackles.

All in all it's a bit weird to write him off now as he's done more than a lot of recent strikers who have come through the ranks, and in that time he stopped our title challenge slump (vs. Aston Villa) and brought us back into the game against Chelsea (handball or not, getting behind Chelsea's back two isn't that easy).

Without injuries he would have looked a lot better.

I see a striker who's a cool and cocky striker with a maturity and mentality that belies his age. Granted things like his finishing and first touch aren't brilliant but more than adequate for his age and they can of course be improved.

Defoe is not really the most adequate comparison. His movement and all-round play around the penalty box kind of reminds me of a cross between Saha and Henry. Can't really think of any one striker whom he reminds me of though.

 

[MacMUFC]

Spot on with the bold, but jermaine Defoe?? Totally different type of player.

Yeah, I probably should've said Defoe of 2-3 seasons ago. Try not to let recent memory of him cloud your judgement, because he's improved his build up and general play massively. Macheda reminds me of him, but less greedy.

 

[Name Changed]

I personally just dont think he'll be a Man Utd player in future, is there anything wrong in saying that?

Of course not.

 

[MacMUFC]

Of course not.

Good to hear, but many disagree without even realising.