Rio's Role In Kiko Switch

Federico Macheda has revealed he sought advice from Rio Ferdinand before joining Queens Park Rangers on loan.

Ferdinand's brother, Anton, signed for the West London club last summer and Macheda, who will spend the remainder of the 2011/12 season there, has revealed the Reds defender assured him the loan deal would prove positive.

"I spoke with Rio and he told me that QPR is a very good club and that if I did come here it would be good for me and would help me develop as a player," Macheda told Queens Park Rangers' official website.

The young Italian striker will hope to play regularly for the R's, but knows a first-team place isn't guaranteed.

"I am here to train hard, firstly. Then I hope to play a big part in the games. I want to play more but I know this won't be easy. I will work very hard for this."

Macheda's loan move shouldn't be seen as the first step in an eventual Old Trafford departure. Rather, it is vital experience for a young striker who, naturally, is finding it difficult to force the Reds' other world-class forwards out of the side.

"There is a lot of competition at Manchester United," the 20-year-old said. "There are some very good strikers there.

"But I am still young and I need to get more experience in the Premier League."