Ferguson gambles on reserves in FA Cup semi-final

20 Apr, 2009

Teenage striker Federico Macheda made his first start for Manchester United as manager Alex Ferguson gambled on a largely reserve side to beat Everton in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.
Ferguson included only central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and midfielder Anderson from the side that beat Porto 1-0 in the Champions League last week, leaving out most of his recognised first team.
"We have got so many important games coming up I have had to make changes, I cannot play my best team in every game," Ferguson told BBC Radio. Italian 17-year-old Macheda, who has scored twice for United in two substitute appearances in the Premier League, lined up in attack with Carlos Tevez.

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