Macheda says Rooney is 'a bit of a chav'

Federico Macheda's return to Old Trafford after his Italy Under-21 duty could prove a little awkward after the 19-year-old made an indiscreet comment to Italian journalists about his beleaguered Manchester United team-mate, Wayne Rooney.

England forward Rooney, criticised in the past for swearing and spitting, was a menace to defences last season but struggled at the World Cup and has been in poor form this term while allegations about his private life have filled the tabloids.

"Rooney is a really great person, he always gives me advice, but he's a bit of a coatto [chav]" Macheda told Gazzetta dello Sport while in Italy with the Under-21 team.

Roman Macheda, who himself hails from the inner city like Liverpool-born Rooney, is happy learning from the striker at United and dismissed speculation he might join his former side Lazio on loan to gain more first-team opportunities.

"I want to improve in Manchester, when I'm more mature I'll be able to make choices. I feel more of an English footballer, and now I speak the language with an accent that is more English than Roman. The rumours about Lazio please me but I don't think I will go," he added.

Unlike Macheda, the Italy Under-21 goalkeeper, Vito Mannone, is getting itchy feet in England after failing to break through again at Arsenal this season despite the well-documented struggles of both Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski.

"It hurts to not play, especially when the other two are not doing great," Mannone said. "The situation at Arsenal is not normal. I'd do six months on loan to play and Milan is a dream."