Watford v Doncaster Rovers: Macheda backs himself to enjoy net profit from Doncaster’s style of play

Federico Macheda has revealed he switched to Doncaster Rovers after being impressed by manager Paul Dickov and his side’s brand of football.
Federico MachedaFederico Macheda
Federico Macheda

The 22-year-old striker yesterday swapped Old Trafford – where he has struggled for chances behind the likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck – for the Keepmoat Stadium after agreeing a one-month loan deal.

After watching Rovers earn a point in an impressive performance at Huddersfield Town on Saturday – he sat in the directors’ box at the John Smith’s Stadium – Macheda was convinced it was worth dropping down to the Championship.

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“I watched the team for the first time against Huddersfield and I was impressed with the type of football they played,” said Macheda.

“I can’t wait to be involved in this team and get to play football. I want to help the team win.

“I have waited quite a while to make this move here, which is a great opportunity for me.

“I came here because I have seen and heard of the great football Paul (Dickov) has been instrumental in playing here.

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“The manager convinced me that this is an ambitious club with a great set-up and a vision for the future. I am looking forward now to playing my first game”

Macheda shot to prominence as a 17-year-old, scoring winners in back-to-back Premier League games against Aston Villa and Sunderland as Manchester United won the 2008-09 title.

But he struggled to hold down a first-team place and has been loaned out in recent seasons, to QPR when they were in the Premier League, Serie A side Sampdoria and Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

He has dropped out of the top flight to join Rovers, explaining he was moving “to a club who really wanted me”.

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“I know after promotion last season they want to keep progressing and moving forward,” he said.

“I feel this is a good move to get my career back on track and here I will have more opportunity to play League football. It will be good for me and also I hope is good for the team.

“I had a few offers both in the Championship and abroad, but I felt the Championship is the place for me right now especially to a club who really wanted me.

“I have been training every day at United and feel very fit. I have played games there and I have come here (yesterday) to train, which I enjoyed.

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“Paul is a very good manager and I feel I can gain from his coaching methods. I have had a fantastic time at Manchester but now I only look at what I can do here for Rovers”

Dickov revealed he had spoken to Sir Alex Ferguson and current Old Trafford manager David Moyes about the striker’s pedigree.

Rovers first attempted to sign Macheda in the summer and on Saturday night had to fend off interest from an unnamed rival club who tried to hijack the deal.

“I know from speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes that he’s a top quality player and he’s a finisher,” said Dickov.

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“We have been working on it for quite a while. We had a little nibble before the season started, but it wasn’t to be. But there’s been a lot of goodwill from Manchester United, and the player for wanting to come here, because late on Saturday night there was a big club that had come in for him. But the club and the player have stayed true in wanting to come here.

“David Moyes is someone I know from being Oldham manager, and he has been a massive help to me.

“With the type of football we are trying to play at the minute, David knows as a staff we will look after him. They know he will be looked after and Doncaster has a reputation for being a really good club, which helps.”

Rovers created good chances in their goalless draw at Huddersfield and Macheda is already tipping himself to find the net in a red and white shirt.

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Dickov explained: “He was really impressed with how we played and how we try to play. Being a confident lad he felt that if he had played he would have probably scored a few goals. I don’t mind that, he’s just desperate to hit the ground ruinning.

“He has done a full pre-season at Manchester United and I have seen him play in a few pre-season games. It will keep everybody on their toes.”

One player who will not be making his Rovers debut this week is pop star Louis Tomlinson. The Doncaster-born singer with One Direction was due to turn out for Rovers’ reserves to help raise funds for local children’s hospice Bluebell Wood.

Over 3,000 tickets had been sold for the second-string game.

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But, despite turning up for training at the club’s Cantley Park training ground yesterday, the football-mad singer has been forced to pull out.

He Tweeted: “I’m really sorry I can’t play I’m gutted”.

Last time: Watford 4 Doncaster Rovers 1; December 31, 2011; Championship.

Last six games: Watford WDDWLD, Doncaster Rovers WWDLLD.

Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincs).