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In 2009, an unheralded Italian teenager came off the bench in a game against Aston Villa and wrote his name into Manchester United folklore. Many would have liked to believe that United had unearthed a striker who would carry the Red Devils into the next decade. In his next league game against Sunderland, Federico Macheda had scored again, less than a minute after coming off the subs bench, earning him comparisons with United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, 3 years and 30 odd appearances later, Macheda is a forgotten man, yet to play a minute of time in United's campaign this season, and well behind the lead quartet of strikers at the club. Two disappointing loan spells at Sampdoria and Queens Park Rangers have not helped his cause at all, and with playing time no longer on offer at Old Trafford, the player appears to be getting itchy feet.

In an interview with ItalSportPress, Macheda's agent said, "Manchester United have some phenomenal players in attack, so it is truly difficult for Federico to find space. It's not true what they write in the English papers that he's going through a bad spell. He wants to play and if he cannot do so by January then we'll try to find an alternative solution."

He continued, "I will talk to Sir Alex Ferguson over the next few days. Federico was requested by German and Spanish teams over the summer but the English club preferred to keep hold of him. I hope they understand the situation and let him leave in January, because it makes no sense to keep a 21-year-old on the bench."

It will be interesting to see how things transpire over the coming months, especially considering Mexian striker Javier Hernandez, who is arguably just above Macheda in the pecking order has also been linked with a January move away from the club. Should Hernandez leave, Macheda could get a few more chances to impress, however, should he not be in Sir Alex's first teams plans at all, chances are United would be quite happy to cash in on the youngster.