Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his side’s never-say-die attitude after the Reds came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.

Cristiano Ronaldo had given United a 14th minute lead after firing home an indirect free-kick inside the box. John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor put the visitors 2-1 up, before Ronaldo struck again and substitute and debutant Federico Macheda curled home an injury-time winner.

The win took Sir Alex’s men back to the top of the table, a point ahead of Liverpool with a game in hand. And no-one was more delighted, and relieved, than the boss.

“The surge towards the end of every game at United is always great and you always hope you can get something out of it,” he told MUTV. “It doesn't always happen, but the drive and determination to do so is always there. We were seven or eight players short against Villa, but you could see how the young lads were prepared to go right until the very end.

“Winning is the name of the game. We played the right way and deserve the result because we tried to win the match. Yes, we took risks but that's part of football - this club has been built on that approach for a long time. We didn't defend the goals we conceded very well, but there was always a goal threat from us and a chance to win the match.

“We've had a blip but we've recovered and we’re where we want to be at the top of the league. And through this result the season could change for us.”

While over the moon by Macheda’s superb winner, Sir Alex is keen to the Italian striker's feet firmly on the ground.

“His whole contribution was fantastic from the minute he arrived,” declared the manager. “He made some penetrative runs and was a threat all the time; I actually thought he could have had a penalty when he went for header not long after he came on.

“I said well done to him afterwards, but he'll need to keep his feet on the ground because he'll get a lot of publicity over the next few days and he'll need to handle that.”

It’s not called the Theatre of Dreams for nothing.

Seventeen-year-old striker Federico Macheda, making his first-team debut, became an instant Old Trafford hero when he scored a sensational injury-time winner to send United back to the top of the table.

Macheda, thrown on for the final 30 minutes, capped a superb performance with the sort of goal usually scored by the likes of Rooney or Ronaldo. Receiving the ball with his back to goal, the young Italian's first touch took the ball between his legs, wrong-footing his marker and allowing him space to curl a superb shot past Brad Friedel and into the far corner.

Earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo had put the Reds in front on 14 minutes before goals from John Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor turned the tide. Ronaldo equalised with 11 minutes to play but Macheda stole the headlines with what could prove a title-winning strike.

Indeed, United now sit a point clear of Liverpool with a game in hand. It’s a scenario Reds fans wouldn’t have thought possible as Aston Villa enjoyed large periods of possession during the game.

Beset by injuries and suspensions, Sir Alex was forced to tinker with his starting XI. Gary Neville made his first appearance since January, while Nani was handed only his fifth league start of the season. Neville and Jonny Evans lined up in the centre of defence (Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a groin injury sustained on England duty), with John O’Shea on the right.

Sir Alex’s major selection headache came in the striking department. With Wayne Rooney suspended and Dimitar Berbatov ruled out with an ankle injury, Carlos Tevez was the only first-choice forward available. Despite playing 75 minutes against Bolivia at high altitude in midweek, the Argentina international started from the opening whistle. Alongside him, Sir Alex opted for the experience of Ryan Giggs, while the bench was cluttered with youth, including hero-to-be Macheda.

But it was Villa’s front men who enjoyed the better of the opening minutes. Gabriel Agbonlahor looked sharp on the left, while John Carew was denied an early headed goal by a combination of Darren Fletcher and the post.

Despite the early nerves, United netted first. Brad Friedel was penalised for handling James Milner’s backpass and at the resulting indirect free-kick Ryan Giggs rolled the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo to curl a sweet effort beyond the wall and into the far corner.

It was a sublime finish – caressed rather than clobbered – and the perfect response to Villa’s lively opening. For Ronaldo, it marked his 19th goal of the season.

Only good Villa defending prevented Ryan Giggs from adding a second almost immediately, while at the other end Ashley Young had a wide free-kick saved superbly by Edwin van der Sar.

Shortly before the half-hour Gary Neville’s perfectly-timed tackle on Gabriel Agbonlahor drew a deafening round of applause from the Old Trafford faithful. But it was the visiting team’s supporters who next had something to cheer, John Carew heading Villa level on 30 minutes. Gareth Barry cut in from the right wing and Carew peeled off Neville to nod in his cross from eight yards.

The game then opened up a little: Ronaldo headed Nani’s free-kick into Friedel’s arms, Milner tested van der Sar from distance and Carrick fizzed a shot just wide. Despite the chances, scores remained level after an entertaining first 45 minutes.

Both United and Villa eased into the second period, the Reds just edging the early minutes. Darren Fletcher, who’d been superb in the first half, sliced a shot wide before a teasing Ronaldo cross just eluded Michael Carrick’s run into the box.

The visitors took the lead on 58 minutes when Agbonlahor rounded off a Villa counter-attack by bravely heading in John Carew’s cross at the far post. The goal prompted Sir Alex to throw on teenage striker Federico Macheda.

Six days earlier the young Italian had fired a hat-trick for the Reserves at St James’ Park, but coming on at Old Trafford for your senior debut when your team is behind is another kettle of fish. But the 17-year-old looked lively, held the ball up well and almost connected with a diving header shortly after his introduction.

As United’s pursuit of an equaliser escalated, gaps started to appear at the back. Jonny Evans and Edwin van der Sar spared the Reds further blushes, but United continued to pour forward.

The reward came with 11 minutes remaining. After neat interchange play on the edge of the Villa box, the ball fell to Ronaldo 25 yards from goal. He took one touch with his right foot before lashing home with his left, hard and along the ground.

Sir Alex immediately urged his troops to regroup and prepare for a final onslaught. The message was clear: the boss wanted a win.

United responded accordingly. Fletcher forced a fine save from Friedel, Ronaldo lashed just wide and substitute Danny Welbeck almost won it with two minutes of normal time remaining when the ball dropped to his feet inside the penalty area.

There was an almighty roar around the ground when the fourth official indicated there would be five minutes’ stoppage time, but that was nothing compared to the noise when Macheda’s sublime curling effort hit the back of the net.

Teenage striking sensation Federico Macheda couldn’t hide his delight after scoring an injury-time winner in United’s thrilling 3-2 victory against Aston Villa.

The 17-year-old Italian told MUTV: “This is the best day of my life and one I have always dreamed of. I really enjoyed it.”

With the game heading for a 2-2 draw and the clock showing 93 minutes, Macheda produced a sublime piece of skill inside the box before curling his shot into the far corner. He wheeled away in delight, heading straight for those who mean most to him.

“I ran towards my family,” he revealed. “They deserve it as much as me and they are very proud.

“It’s a great day but my life is still the same as before. I want to keep going as I have been doing and just enjoy my football.

"I was surprised to be on the bench, to be honest. I was asked yesterday to go to Italy and join up with the national team [at youth level] but Sir Alex said I had to stay here because I might be on the bench. It was then I knew I had a chance."

Born: Rome
DOB: 22 August 1991
Position: Striker

First-team
Apps: 0(1)
Goals: 1

Reserves 2008/09
Apps: 16
Goals: 10

Academy 2008/09
Apps: 13(2)
Goals: 8

Stats correct up to and including 5.4.09.[/b]