Manchester United have been slammed by Lazio president Claudio Lotito over the “unethical” deal which bought the club's new hero Federico Macheda to Old Trafford.

The 17-year-old, a product of the Serie A side's youth system, scored in stoppage time yesterday to give the Premier League leaders a crucial 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

But the wonderkid's dream debut has been overshadowed by a row between the Rome club and United, who he joined in September 2007, aged 16.

Italian sides are unable to sign under-18s on professional contracts and Lazio are furious that United exploited this to lure Macheda.

“It's unthinkable that a lad of 15 can be bought as if it was a cattle market,” Lotito told Italy's Sky television. “Normally these boys are not from wealthy families and they look for alternatives in foreign countries for economic reasons.

“We always knew Macheda was a great player, so much so that we did everything to keep him here. We tried to tell Manchester United many times, but we couldn't do anything about it.

“Our sporting director at the time tried to stop Macheda from leaving. However, the law in place at the moment, which means we cannot sign a player who is under-18, is shameful.

“They took him using wrong methods without any ethical codes. They tempt parents with big money and offers of work.”

FIFA wants to protect under-18 players and keep them with their local clubs but employment law complicates the situation.

Despite the row, Macheda is glad to be at Old Trafford. His agent Giovanni Bia said: “He is happy, his family are working, although the lad is very tied to Italy. Rome will always be in his heart.”

The striker himself admitted that yesterday was the “best day of my life” after curling home a brilliant injury‑time winner to allow Sir Alex Ferguson's team to regain their one-point advantage over Liverpool.

“I have dreamt of a day like this,” said Macheda. “I just turned and shot and ran to my family. They are very proud of me.”

Macheda was supposed to be returning to his native Italy to play a match but was called back by Ferguson, who wanted to put him on the bench for the first time.

“I was very surprised to get a chance but now I just want to keep going,” he said. It looked like being a desperate afternoon for United, who had seen their early lead, provided by Ronaldo, wiped out by headers either side of the interval from John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Villa were worthy of their lead but, as usual, Ferguson refused to accept defeat.

“In those situations, I gamble,” said the Scot. “Winning is the name of the game at this club.

“Risks are part of football and this club has been that way for a long time. I love to see that kind of adventure. Yes, there are times when we don't defend properly — and we didn't defend well today — but there is always a goal threat. There is always a chance we can win the match — and that is more exciting than anything.”

Ferguson has kept Macheda in the squad for tomorrow's Champions League quarter-final with Porto but he will be without Rio Ferdinand, who is still troubled by the groin injury which forced him to miss the Villa game.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has once again reaffirmed he is “at the right club” amid fresh speculation over his United future.
Neither the player nor Ferguson were happy that the issue was raised again ahead of the Porto clash.

Ferguson, asked “how many times” more he would have to endure this line of questioning before describing the continued speculation as “pathetic”. Ronaldo shrugged and said: “We always have this question.”

The 23-year-old simply repeated the position he has stuck to since reaffirming his commitment to United last summer after a face-to-face meeting with Ferguson appeared to stop the rumblings linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

“I am happy at this club. I think it is the right club,” said the Portugal midfielder. “We are the best team in England. We have shown that by being top of the table. That speaks for itself.”