Federico Macheda (Italian pronunciation: [fedeˈriːko maˈkɛːda]; born 22 August 1991) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Super League Greece club Panathinaikos. Born in Rome, Macheda began his career with local club Lazio, but joined Manchester United when he turned 16 in 2007. He turned professional in 2008, before scoring on his first-team debut in April 2009. Macheda spent the next couple of years on the fringe of the United first-team, before twice going out on loan – first to Sampdoria in his native Italy in 2011, and then to Queens Park Rangers in 2012, the latter of which was curtailed by injury. He spent further spells on loan, at VfB Stuttgart, Doncaster Rovers and Birmingham City. Having failed to break into the Manchester United first team, Macheda w