Macheda- I need to step up at QPR

The Italian striker burst onto the scene with an injury-time winner on his United debut against Aston Villa in April 2009.

Since then his first-team chances have been limited, a situation the 20-year-old admits has been frustrating, saying: "When I had my debut it was great but then I did not have the chance to play every game. When I got on the pitch, I tried to do my best and it wasn't easy."

He added: "I was only 17 then and I knew I could not play in every game. It has been difficult, but I don't want to think about the past.

"Now I am here and I want to do very well here. I had a tough time. I didn't get on the pitch many times but it is a good experience.

"You have everything to learn about bad things as well so I take it as an experience and of course I need to step up to become a real player. Now I am young and I need to step up to become a big player. That is what I am looking for."

Several United academy graduates have gone out on loan in recent times, honing their skills and subsequently becoming key first-team players. Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are two such examples of players Macheda wants to emulate.

"I hope to do the same as them because they had loan spells for one year and it worked well for them," he said. "I hope it will do for me as well. When I spoke to [Ferguson] about going on loan he agreed with me. I am 20 years old and I need to get more playing time.

"It is not easy here but there is a bit more chance to play here than at United. He agreed with me and we did this choice, but I don't know about my future.

"My future is not important now. The important thing now is QPR for me and I am looking forward to doing well here. Then we will see and talk about my future."

Source: PA

Source: PA