Kiko Hungry For More Action

After putting in a sweat-soaked shift as United's lone striker against Bursaspor, Kiko Macheda is eager to prove that he can ably step up to regular first team involvement.

The furore over Wayne Rooney's future - and his ankle injury - have thrust the Italian youngster up the pecking order and, although he didn't score against the Turkish champions, Macheda is keen to keep playing and improving.

"I need to get minutes and games, and hopefully I'll get better with every game," he told MUTV. "I'm sorry for him (Rooney), but if the manager chooses me for games I'll be ready to show what I can do.

"It's good to get a game. I could have scored, I wanted to score because I'm a striker and I like goals, but I'm happy for the performance. I did a lot of work. I was running behind and I wish I had more chances to score goals, but it's ok.

"It was hard obviously because to be on your own you need support from midfield and the wings, but I think I did well and just didn't score."

Allied to Rangers' draw with Valencia, victory puts United in control of Group C in the Champions League, and Macheda is now focused on Sunday's Premier League trip to Stoke.

"We're very happy about the win. We have seven points and a great chance to win the group," said the Italian. "Now we have to concentrate on Sunday. We're going to work hard and hopefully win."