Man Utd Thread:

[mountainboii]

Rooney is a different class to Macheda.

Rooney represented his country at 17, as well as play in a major tournament when he was 18 and was the youngest scorer in the competition. How far is Macheda away from the Italy squad?

He scored 15 goals in his 2 seasons at Everton, Macheda has scored 2 so far, one of them he knew nothing about, and has done bugger all since.

Rooney was sold for £26 million when he was 18. I cant see anyone shelling out that for Macheda, or any other 18 year old in the future.

Any non blinkered Utd fan will admit that his goal v Villa was lucky. Yes it was a very important goal, but to say it will go down in history as one of the greatest goals in the premier league, is a joke. And what has he done since then? He ran about tonight like a headless chicken. Compare that to Rooney on his debut in the Champions League.

Why must he be compared to Rooney? Players develop at different rates. At Macheda's age Drogba couldn't get his place with a semi professional team playing in the 4th tier of French football.

Because both made a big impact in the premier league when they were 17.

Its impossible to compare Drogba to Macheda. If Drogba had of had a different upbringing, and had the resources and facilities available to him that Macheda had, as well as Rooney, Fabregas etc, then no doubt he would have made it at a younger age. Not to mention the fact that Macheda was poached persuaded to join United when he was 16.

Drogba's earlier life may have been tough, but he was playing away with decent resources in France from he was 14 or 15.

Your point seems to be that because two players made their breakthrough at the same age, that they should progress at the same rate. If that's what you're saying, its nonsense. Writing Macheda off at 18, 8 months and about a dozen games into his senior career, is also a joke.

[Archie Mitchell]

Im not saying he isnt a good player, im just saying he doesnt justify the hype that surrounded him after THAT goal v Villa. He was built up to be the next big thing by the media, utd fans etc, and so far has failed to deliver the goods. Only the exceptional players like Rooney, Fabregas etc can make a big impact at such a young age, IMO Macheda is not one of these, but could turn out to be a decent player in the future, if not for United, then for someone else.

[ross4life]

Im not saying he isnt a good player, im just saying he doesnt justify the hype that surrounded him after THAT goal v Villa. He was built up to be the next big thing by the media, utd fans etc, and so far has failed to deliver the goods. Only the exceptional players like Rooney, Fabregas etc can make a big impact at such a young age, IMO Macheda is not one of these, but could turn out to be a decent player in the future, if not for United, then for someone else.

agreed & debate closed 

[Norf Tyrone]

Just flicked over to OT at full time fom Porto to catch the last 4 or 5 mins. Why was the stadium half empty?

[ross4life]

Just flicked over to OT at full time fom Porto to catch the last 4 or 5 mins. Why was the stadium half empty?

because they left early? can never understand that? but for once they didn't miss a united late goal

[take_yer_points]

Macheda has loads of time to develop, he's shown the odd glimpse of class and I'm confident he'll be alright.

Welbeck disappoints though. Pace to burn but not much else. Pathetically one footed too, which won't cut it playing up front at the highest level.

Gibson is a Hull/ Bolton level player at best. Loses the ball way too often to play for a top team.

Obertan looked lively tonight, but his end product isn't up to scratch yet.

All in all, wouldn't be overly confident throwing any of these lads into a game of any importance at this stage.

I would have Valencia in that bracket as well - its as if he's not allowed to use his left foot

[nrico2006]

ROSS4LIFE - I have heard Morrison is meant to be unreal, and the soon to be arriving Adem Ljajic is meant to be a different class, one of the best in the world at his age. 

Because both made a big impact in the premier league when they were 17.

Its impossible to compare Drogba to Macheda. If Drogba had of had a different upbringing, and had the resources and facilities available to him that Macheda had, as well as Rooney, Fabregas etc, then no doubt he would have made it at a younger age. Not to mention the fact that Macheda was poached persuaded to join United when he was 16.

Archie, that is nonsense regarding Drogba's upbringing - you could point out players such as Tevez or the real Ronaldo as players with rough upbringings and look at how early they made a mark.  The point made was that simply because a player isn't as good as another was (in this case Rooney and Fabregas have been mentioned) doesn't mean they will not turn into a great player.  Alot of players appear to be great prospects due to the fact that they make an impact at a young age, and people believe they have got a superstar on their hands due to their early rise to prominence when in fact they have basically developed as far as they will at a young age and won't improve that much more.  Their are numerous examples of players who fall into this category such as Sonny Pike or Cherno Samba.  Most players will make a big impact in their early twenties, and the Drogba one is a decent example, but there are loads out there who didn't rise to prominence at early ages.  Frank Lampard from 2003/2004 onwards is a different player than from his earlier years, and why was Andre Arshavin only really heard of when he was around 27/28?

As for Macheda, I am not convinced by him on the basis of 2 goals last year, but they were two crucial strikes and for a 17 year old rookie to scorew them was pretty incredible.  He has a long way to go to gain experience but give the lad time.  Obertan looks a class act, really impressed by him.  As for one footed players, I don't hear to many giving off about RVP, the most one footed player you will ever see.

[Minder]

RVP has scored a few clinkers with his right, one against five times European Cup winners Liverpool last Christmas springs to mind. I don't think anyone will be comparing RVP and Wellbeck anytime soon. It's what you do with the strong foot, Maradona got by fairly well with being "one footed".

[EC Unique]

Irritating result but no bearing on anything really. Good to give the young reserves a run in Europe.

Did any of you see the program lastnight about Johnny Evans? Seems a nice down to Earth guy with big ambitions.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Irritating result but no bearing on anything really. Good to give the young reserves a run in Europe.

Did any of you see the program lastnight about Johnny Evans? Seems a nice down to Earth guy with big ambitions.

Nah...cannot stand that fecker Stephen Watson so don't watch Season Ticket no matter who's presenting it

[Goats Do Shave]

Irritating result but no bearing on anything really. Good to give the young reserves a run in Europe.

Did any of you see the program lastnight about Johnny Evans? Seems a nice down to Earth guy with big ambitions.

Nah...cannot stand that fecker Stephen Watson

It was Thomas Kane... 

Came across very well.

[Minder]

Irritating result but no bearing on anything really. Good to give the young reserves a run in Europe.

Did any of you see the program lastnight about Johnny Evans? Seems a nice down to Earth guy with big ambitions.

That sounds like a press release from his agent, what were you expecting from him, lighting cigars with £100 notes ?

[under the bar]

Im not saying he isnt a good player, im just saying he doesnt justify the hype that surrounded him after THAT goal v Villa.

Whose hype?  I think you're reading too many tabloids.

[EC Unique]

Irritating result but no bearing on anything really. Good to give the young reserves a run in Europe.

Did any of you see the program lastnight about Johnny Evans? Seems a nice down to Earth guy with big ambitions.

That sounds like a press release from his agent, what were you expecting from him, lighting cigars with £100 notes ?

Did you watch it?

[under the bar]

Irritating result but no bearing on anything really. Good to give the young reserves a run in Europe.

Did any of you see the program lastnight about Johnny Evans? Seems a nice down to Earth guy with big ambitions.

great show.  not like the celeb drivel they serve up for documentaries across the water