Thank You Kiko.... Macheda...

Manchester United kept their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table thanks to an Italian kid named 'Kiko'.
HEROES

MANCHESTER UNITED

This is how champions respond. With a team missing almost six regulars including their first-choice central defence, Manchester United were thought to be up against it against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. After Liverpool cranked up the pressure on the reigning champions with a Fulham win, United knew they had to respond. And respond they did. Although they were not convincing against Villa, United still came away with all three points. Sir Alex Ferguson has proved yet again how astute he has been in procuring young players who can step up the plate when it matters. His youngsters are usually thrown into the fray when the team is 2-1 down and not when 4-0 up. That's how you learn - the hard way. One could argue that Ferguson had no choice but to place his trust in kids. But these kids are proven. Consider this - 17-year-old Federico Macheda have been prolific for United at every level while 19-year-old Danny Welbeck already has a Wembley appearance under his belt. Both were pivotal in United's victory over Villa and their contributions could prove to be the last turning point in the title race. Ferguson dares to put his faith in his kids when the chips are down. As the saying goes, he who dares, usually wins.


FEDERICO MACHEDA

Federico Macheda has a joker's face and he is proving to be Man United's joker in the pack. While United's ace, Cristiano Ronaldo, stepped up to the plate in the absence of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, 'Kiko' almost stole Ronaldo's thunder with his late, late winner. Scratch that. Judging from the elation coming from the United camp, the Italian teenager has completely overshadowed everybody. There is no doubt about his promise though. The way Macheda set up the winning goal was fantastic. His deft turn took out Curtis Davis and with a swerve of his right boot; he curled a-contender-for-the-season-goal past Brad Friedel. Cue pandemonium at OT. Amazingly, it was reported that Macheda was pulled out of the Italian U-17 squad at the last minute by Alex Ferguson on Saturday so that he can be fielder for the Villa game. The rest, as they say, is history.