Boss Backing For Macheda

Sir Alex Ferguson is backing Federico Macheda to overcome some bad luck during his loan spells and make the grade at Manchester United.

The Italian striker endured an unhappy stint with Sampdoria last season and Neil Warnock's exit from QPR led to Mark Hughes arriving and signing big-name forwards like Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora in January.

An ankle problem further hindered Macheda's bid for first-team action at Loftus Road and he returned to Manchester last week to receive treatment. Yet the manager is remaining patient with the 20-year-old in the hope that his misfortune will come to an end.

"He's so unlucky, the lad," Sir Alex told MUTV. "The boy needs football.

"I've got great belief in the boy, I really have. I think he could be an outstanding player.

"We put him on loan to Sampdoria last January and he was there two weeks and they sacked the coach so he didn't get a game. He went to QPR and, two weeks later, they sacked the coach and he didn't get a game. So it's been really unfortunate.

"He has been bothered by an ankle injury over the last few weeks so I think we've done the right thing in getting him in for an operation. Hopefully, he'll be ready for next season."