The father of Federico Macheda insists swapping Lazio for Manchester United was the right move for his son.

"It's thanks to Lazio that today Federico is doing well in his English experience," said Pasquale Macheda.

"He was a part of Lazio's youth team and he was fortunate there to learn a lot and become a serious lad from a sporting point of view.

"Federico was born in Rome and grew up at Lazio. But it's not easy to resist an offer from a prestigious club like Manchester.

"Now we are enjoying the moment and we are proud of what Federico has done.

"He is a serious kid with his feet firmly on the ground."

One person at Lazio who did celebrate the player's instant success was Federico's former coach with the club's youth team, Stefano Avincola.

"I am delighted for him," he said. "Of course there's some regret at the Lazio camp for seeing a quality player leave.

"But I want to reiterate that Lazio did everything they could to keep Federico at the club, seeing in him a player with potential and good prospects.

"Unfortunately, it was not possible and the lad and his family made an understandable choice of leaving Lazio and thanking the club for everything they did for the young Federico."