Is he the new Macheda?

Federico Macheda celebrates his winner vs Aston Villa at Old Trafford. (Image credit; Manchester Evening News)

By Olumide Lawal



One was "taken" from Lazio at just 16 while the other came in as the costliest teenager in football history.

The world of football transfers has seen ridiculous amounts paid for players by European football giants over the last decade. It is not surprising since the game is all about the money these days.

Federico Macheda and Anthony Martial share similarities. They both made their United debuts as teenagers, also as 2nd half substitutes in the Premier League(61 and 65 mins respectively), at Old Trafford. Their goals was the team's third goal to seal victories in front of the Stretford End. What a coincidence.

So, it's year 2009 and it has been a turbulent three weeks for a certain Sir Alex Ferguson's title-chasing Manchester United. Losing back-to-back games to Liverpool and Arsenal was unbearable to say the least.

On this fateful day, Aston Villa were on a "suicide mission", John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor had exploited the absence of Rio Ferdinand & Nemanja Vidic, United first-choice centre-back pairing, punishing United's make-shift defense of Gary Neville & John O'Shea. Although, Cristiano Ronaldo had scored an equalizer, twice already.

The scoreboard read 2-2 after 60 minutes of entertaining football and Old Trafford faithfuls were waiting for the winning goal to end their grief of weeks past.

There cometh  61 mins' when Luis Nani was subsituted for less-known teenager, Federico Macheda. To cut the story short, the then 17-year-old received the ball in Aston Villa's box after a United corner was cleared  to his path; his back to the post, 'Kiko' turned like a pro & curled a lovely strike to the top corner in stoppage time. Behold, a star was born.

The Frenchman announces himself to United fans. (Image credit; Sky Sports) 

Unlike Macheda, Martial was coming on with so much pressure to deliver considering his astronomical transfer fee (£36 million that could rise to £57 million), he's already been tagged a waste of money by some section of the British press.

Manchester United two-goal lead had just been halved after Christian Benteke struck a spectacular acrobatic volley past the returning David de Gea. The former Monaco forward was quiet during the first 19 minutes of his league bow after replacing Juan Mata, the Frenchman knew he had to do something quickly.

He responded in an incredible fashion.

Collecting an Ashley Young pass while deciding to make a solo run into the box suggests he is not new to this environment or under any pressure whatsoever. He was confident.

The 19-year-old made the experienced Martin Skrtel looked transparent as he danced through the Kop defence. He slotted home a low finish past Simon Mignolet in a comfortable manner and his 25 mins cameo showed a maturity that was beyond his age.

Everyone is talking about Anthony Martial right now, he deserves it. When you consider the moment of magic he produced was just like Macheda's in 2009, one can't help but envisage a promising future for the former. Here's hoping Martial is not plying his trade in English Championship come 2021.