Macheda keen to learn from Owen

FEDERICO MACHEDA is determined to gain the maximum benefit from working alongside Michael Owen.

Alex Ferguson may have described Macheda as the deadliest marksman at Old Trafford earlier this week. However, the teenage Italian knows he has plenty to do if he is to justify the faith Ferguson has shown in him by handing Macheda the coveted fourth striking role, rather than pay the kind of inflated fees being demanded by clubs across Europe for their star names this summer.

He has already made a decent start, scoring the opening goal on his first pre-season game on Monday as United recorded a two-goal triumph against a Malaysian XI.