Sir Alex Ferguson expects Federico Macheda to be
back in a fortnight to ease Manchester United's striker
crisis.
Macheda has been limited to just five appearances this season,
the last of which came in the Carling Cup quarter-final triumph
over Tottenham in December.
Since then, the Italy Under-21 star has been sidelined by a calf
strain.
Macheda has already been forced to abort one comeback bid but
with Michael Owen out for the season and Danny Welbeck spending the
remainder of the campaign on loan at Preston, the 18-year-old would
offer Ferguson an alternative to his remaining three recognised
strikers; Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and untested rookie Mame
Biram Diouf.
Certainly there will be no fears for Macheda's temperament,
given his explosive introduction to English football last season
when he scored a sensational injury-time winner against Aston Villa
before netting the goal that secured a vital win at Sunderland.
And, if all goes to plan, Macheda could return within a
fortnight to bolster Ferguson's attacking resources.
"Macheda started light training this week," said Ferguson.
"He has had a long-term injury which has been disappointing for
us because he is such a great talent.
"But he should be back in the football side within two
weeks."
Ferguson is hoping Macheda is following Owen Hargreaves on the
comeback trail as, after nearly 18 months on the sidelines, the
England midfielder is expected to make his long-awaited return from
surgery on both knees in tomorrow night's reserve team encounter
with Manchester City at Altrincham.