Why Ferguson Needs To Rethink Macheda's Loan Deal

At the beginning of the January transfer window, Federico Macheda was loaned to Queens Park Rangers in attempt to get him more first-team football.

Macheda has only played 165 minutes in five games However, the Manchester United striker has only started two of his four appearances - both in the FA Cup - and an unsuspecting managerial change saw Mark Hughes take over for Neil Warnock which could change the promises in place.

The former Red, now well-traveled manager, has came out and said that he will be searching for a striker, which means Kiko could be on the outside looking in - even at Loftus Road.

The 20-year old faced the same sort of thing in last year's six-month loan deal at Sampdoria and to prevent his career from being stop-start again, Ferguson needs to speak with his agent about another club. Macheda rose to superstardom at the tender age of 17, with back-to-back, very vital match-winning goals that helped United secure the title that season.

Against okay opposition, in his four appearances for the R's, Kiko has been a bit disappointing, because he has picked up more yellow cards - one - than he has shots on goal, which is why there are concerns over his ability to adapt under a different manager.

After losing 1-0 at Newcastle, Hughes said, "It's important we improve our goals column, that is hindering us." However, Macheda returned to the starting XI against MK Dons, but he was subbed off for a midfielder when the game was still goalless.

Right now, and besides Macheda, the Hoops have five other attackers - Jay Bothroyd, DJ Campbell, Heidar Helguson, Robert Hulse and Jamie Mackie - and are on the verge of signing U-20 Brazilian striker Henrique.

If Macheda isn't going to get the minutes he yearns for during this loan spell, then why not recall him and send him to a place where he will? Makes perfect sense - unless Ferguson has already given up on him being a long-term United player.

The manager has said that he wants to keep Kiko, but there comes a point when the player needs to decide for himself if Old Trafford is the right place for him. Of course, that's done without an agent in the ear and dollar signs in his eyes - and that's very rare these days!

There should be no questioning Federico Macheda's ability to make it at Manchester United, it comes down to the fact of him getting ample enough match-time for him to grow as a player - he's not going to get that at Queens Park Rangers under Mark Hughes.