There probably aren't many Manchester United fans who don't remember Federico Macheda. Back in 2009 the then 17-year-old announced himself in spectacular style by scoring a dramatic late winner for the Red Devils against Aston Villa.

United went on to win that game, coming from 2-1down to win 3-2, with the Italian teenager's goal proving to be the difference between the two sides.

It was meant to be the beginning of a long and successful career for the striker, but sadly, things didn't quite work out that way and after slipping down the divisions in England he is now turning out for Italian second division side Novara.

Now 25, he cuts a mature figure who realises that his career didn't quite turn out the way he'd hoped or was predicted by those around him, and in an interview with ESPN, he virtually pinpoints the moment it all went wrong for him.

The striker revealed that a difference of opinion with then manager Sir Alex Ferguson proved to be the decisive factor in his downfall, before going on to admit that he should have listened to the legendary boss and taken his advice.

"Fergie wanted me to go on loan; I could see that was sensible. Many Premier League clubs came in for me including Everton and Sunderland," he said.

"But I wanted to play in Italy, in Serie A. Fergie did not agree and said I should play in England, where he could keep an eye on me. He said he didn't have the same power in Italy. I insisted on Italy and that was the worst mistake of my life.

"Another mistake. I should have listened to Fergie. Sampdoria had been in the Champions League playoff that season; they had a good team. I was going to replace Antonio Cassano and play up front with [Giampaolo] Pazzini. I started well and scored straight away against Udinese, then started against Milan, Napoli, Juventus, Roma.

"But then they sold Pazzini to Inter Milan. I was only 19; I couldn't take the responsibility that he had. We went down the table and I started to get strong criticism, with people saying: "He's come from Man United; who does he think he is?" For the first time in my life my confidence dropped. I began to ask myself: "Am I good enough?" And I started to get injured."

He also went on to reveal what it was like to be included in the squad that day against Aston Villa, and what impact it all had on him over the course of the day.

"I thought: "Wow! Fucking hell!" I was a baby, just 17."

"My life changed that day and it has never been the same since. Nobody gave a f--- who I was before that goal but the day after I would go to the Trafford Centre and have 100 people around me. I enjoyed it at the start.

"To this moment, it remains the best football day of my life. I woke up and I was on the front page of newspapers all around the world. My friends were calling me from Rome and crying down the phone. I went into training and all the staff were high-fiving me and saying well done."