Cardiff City are looking to capitalise on Manchester United’s surplus of attacking options by making a loan move for their youngster Federico Macheda. The Italian burst to prominence two seasons back with a sensational late winner at home to Villa moments after coming on as a sub. Since then however he has struggled to break through the bigger names ahead of him in the pecking order.

The loan deal appears to be dependent on United’s continued participation in the Carling Cup with Alex Ferguson wanting to fully utilise his squad for what he considers the least important competition. With the reds due to face lowly Aldershot in the next round Cardiff may have a little longer to wait though manager Malky Mackay said yesterday, “Things change at Premier League clubs on a daily and weekly basis in terms of when the youngsters are allowed out.”