Federico Macheda enjoyed a remarkable introduction to English football as he fired a late winner as Manchester United beat Aston Villa 3-2.

It seemed the Red Devils would have to settle for a point after Cristiano Ronaldo's brace on 14 and 80 minutes had only proved enough to keep United level against a Villa side that thoroughly deserved a lead provided by two headers from John Carew (30) and Gabriel Agbonlahor (58).

But Macheda, a former member of the Lazio academy who arrived at Old Trafford in 2007, was to have the last word.

At exactly the same moment as Yossi Benayoun struck for Liverpool at Fulham on Saturday, Macheda turned onto Ryan Giggs' low pass on the edge of the box before unleashing a stunning shot that curled past Brad Friedel and sent Old Trafford into ecstasy.