Dream come true for new United star

Published: 06 Apr 2009 - 06:30:00

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Teenage hero Federico Macheda fired Manchester United back to the Premier League summit on Sunday and declared it the best day of his life. With Wayne Rooney suspended and Dimitar Berbatov injured, Sir Alex Ferguson turned to Macheda to help rescue the Red Devils' flagging title charge as they trailed Aston Villa 2-1 midway through the second half at Old Trafford. The young Italian brought more focus to United's attack. Then, after Cristiano Ronaldo had brought the champions level 10 minutes from time, Macheda curled home a brilliant injury-time winner following Ryan Giggs' pass to allow Ferguson's team to regain their one-point advantage over Liverpool. "I have dreamt of a day like this," added Macheda. "Maybe no-one knew about me before but I think that might have changed now. "I just turned and shot and ran to my family. They are very proud of me." Macheda was supposed to be returning to his native Italy to play a match but was called back by Ferguson, who wanted to put the 17-year-old on the bench for the first time. "I was very surprised to get a chance but now I just want to keep going," said the former Lazio trainee, who moved to Old Trafford in 2007.