United serve up late drama

Alex Ferguson has claimed Manchester United's readiness to take risks ''could change the season for us" after untried teenager Federico Macheda secured a dramatic 3-2 victory against Aston Villa to restore the champions to the top of the Premier League.

Wonderboy: teenager debutant Federico Macheda (right) celebrates his injury time winner against Aston Villa with team-mate Darren Fletcher Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The seventeen-year-old Italian, making his senior debut as a second-half substitute, scored a stunning goal at Old Trafford, three minutes into stoppage time, to consign Villa to their fifth defeat in six league games.

With Liverpool dislodging United from top spot with victory at Fulham on Saturday, failure to defeat Villa would have severely dented United's hopes, but Ferguson insisted that taking risks may have to swung the title race back in their favour.

Ferguson said: "Through that result, the season could change for us. At 2-2, I was thinking 'gamble', because winning is the name of the game at this club. Risks are part of football and this club is built on that. I love the thrill of it, I love the adrenalin and the way we take risks. It's a great boost for us to come from behind and score a great win."

Macheda celebrated joyously with his family in the stand following his goal, but his winner was greeted with a typically muted response from Ferguson. He said: "I just said well done to the lad. It is important that he keeps his feet on the ground because he is going to get a lot of media attention over the next few days and he will have learn to handle it."

United now stand one point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand, but Ferguson believes that the Merseysiders' Champions League tie with Chelsea could prove pivotal for their title hopes. He said: "Everyone is screaming that Liverpool are our challenge, but I think that whoever wins between Liverpool and Chelsea in the Champions League will be our biggest threat. Whoever wins that double header will be our biggest threat because of the effect it will have on them."

Villa manager Martin O'Neill claimed that referee Mike Riley's decision to play five minutes of stoppage time played into United's hands. O'Neill said: "We all need a slice of luck, even the great Sir Alex needs it. The referee played five minutes added time, but he wouldn't have done that at Villa Park."