Agent casts doubt on Federico Macheda loan move to Bologna

Young Manchester United striker's career has stalled
Serie B club keen to bring Macheda back to Italy
Federico Macheda, Manchester United
Federico Macheda of Manchester United has yet to feature in the Premier League this season after bursting on the scene last term. Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Federico Macheda's agent says Bologna want to take the young Manchester United striker back to Italy on a loan deal, although he is not confident it will happen.

Macheda burst on to the scene last year when he scored a stoppage-time winner against Aston Villa on his debut. The teenager then scored again less than a minute into his second match for United as a second-half substitute at Sunderland.

However, Macheda has not made a Premier League appearance this season and Sir Alex Ferguson could consider loaning out the 18-year-old for him to gain more first-team experience.

The Serie A strugglers Bologna have made a move for Macheda but his agent Giovanni Bia feels the English champions will not agree to a move.

"Bologna have asked for him but we have to evaluate things with Manchester United," he told Tuttomercatoweb. "This afternoon I have a telephone appointment with them, but it will be difficult for them to let him go. If they will do it, it would be on loan."

Reports have also linked the Italy Under-21 international with a move to Real Zaragoza but Bia insists the Spanish club have not contacted him.

Macheda, a former youth-team player at Lazio, moved to United in 2007 and signed a new four-year contract at Old Trafford last December.