Agent: Newcastle and QPR are after Macheda

The Italian forward looks poised to temporarily exit Old Trafford with Alan Pardew and Neil Warnock after his services, while a return to Italy has been ruled out

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda is poised to join a Premier League side on loan to gain top-flight experience, according to the player’s agent, with a return to Italy ruled out.

The Italian under-21 international’s representative Giovanni Bia has revealed Newcastle are leading the race to sign him on a temporary basis, although QPR are also interested.

Red Devils' boss Sir Alex Ferguson previously stated his intention to keep all his forwards at the club, but now appears willing to let the 20-year-old leave to get first-team action.

"Macheda doesn't return to Italy, Manchester United will send him on loan in the Premier League," the agent told calciomercato.com.

"At this time Newcastle has the edge over Queens Park Rangers."

Macheda burst on to the scene scoring a dramatic winner on his debut three seasons back to send United to the top of the table, but has since failed to establish himself and spent the second half of last season on loan to Sampdoria.

He currently finds himself behind Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen.

Both Newcastle and QPR find themselves short of options up front and it appears that both clubs see Macheda as a useful addition to their squads.

Ex Red Devil Owen Hargreaves is on the verge of becoming Citizens

Former Manchester United midfielder could be on his way to arch rivals after being released by the Old Trafford club, with a deal seemingly set to be tied up on Tuesday

Owen Hargreaves could be in line to make a shock return to the Premier League – to play for former club Manchester United's arch rivals Manchester City, according to various reports.

The Guardian suggest that Hargreaves has undergone a medical with last season’s FA Cup winners after the player was photographed leaving the Bridgewater Hospital in Manchester, while a deal could be completed later on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old midfielder was released by Premier League champions United at the end of last season following a four-year career at Old Trafford plagued by injury, with his last comeback resulting in only a five-minute performance against Wolves before a torn hamstring ended his season in November last year.

Hargreaves had offered to play for free for United this season to stay at the club, but was advised that this would not be a wise decision. The England international also posted a series of videos on YouTube to prove his fitness to potential suitors following his release, and had been strongly linked with a move to West Bromwich Albion.

Hargreaves had been offered a contract by the Midlands club but was said to be holding out for a more tempting offer, and Manchester City now appears to be his chosen destination.

The midfielder will be following in the footsteps of Carlos Tevez in crossing the city’s red and blue divide.

Wayne Rooney targets to break Sir Bobby's Record

Wayne Rooney has set himself a target - to chase down Sir Bobby Charlton's goals record for United.

The red-hot striker scored a hat-trick against Arsenal with his opener making it 150 for the Reds, still a long way behind the incredible 249 mark set by the legendary Sir Bobby.

"Funnily enough, I was aware I was one away from 150 before the game," Rooney. "I spoke to a few of the players and asked how many Sir Bobby had and Giggsy said I was 100 or so off.

"It's a target for me, to try and do that. Hopefully, in the next few years, I can do it."

The former Everton attacker admits he enjoys special moments against Arsenal after putting the Gunners to the sword again on Sunday.

"A lot of my milestone goals have come against Arsenal," he admitted to Sky Sports. "My first-ever goal for Everton, first Premier League goal for United, 100th Barclays Premier League goal for United and now 150th, all against Arsenal, so it’s obviously a great feeling. The performance today was incredible and we fully deserved the result we got, I thought.

"I think whether they had their full squad out or not, we were going to have a go at them, play and score goals. They had a few players out but take nothing away from our performance, it was brilliant.

"Obviously it was a good result for Man City [at Spurs], a good win, but we had to concentrate on ourselves today and I don’t think anyone else will beat Arsenal 8-2 this season."

Cleverley,Jones and Smalling called up for England Squad

Fabio Capello called Manchester United's youngsters Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to join the 25 man squad of England for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Wales and Bulgaria.

The trio have been in impressive form for Sir Alex Ferguson's men in the opening games of the season, including in Sunday's 8-2 mauling of Arsenal, as United deal without usual defensive pair Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who are both injured.

Meanwhile, Fulham keeper David Stockdale has been named in the squad again despite spending the season on loan at Champonship side Ipswich.

England regulars Andy Carroll, Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent make up the attacking options for Capello with the likes of in-form Ashley Young and Stewart Downing likely to be manning the wings.

England regulars such as Frank Lampard, John Terry, Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart are all included in the squad, while West Ham’s Scott Parker is also included in the squad despite having dropped down a division as the Hammers suffered relegation last season.

England will travel to Bulgaria with a squad with a lot of young guns on Friday September 2.

FULL SQUAD:

KEEPERS:Joe Hart (Manchester City), Robert Green (West Ham United), David Stockdale (Ipswich Town - On Loan From Fulham).

DEFENDERS:John Terry (Chelsea), Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Bolton Wanderers), Micah Richards (Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Phil Jagielka (Everton) ,Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), Chris Smalling (Manchester United).

MIDFIELDERS:Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United), James Milner (Manchester City).

FORWARDS:Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Darren Bent (Aston Villa), Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur).

Danny Welbeck ruled out for five weeks

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck is ruled out for 5 weeks. After Pulling his hamstring the young striker was substituted in the match against Arsenal. After scoring the first goal of the game against Arsenal the English striker was injured.

The 20 year old was in a very good form but he will now be sidelined due to his injury in the match against Arsenal which The Red Devils won 8-2.

Sir Alex said "It is a loss for us and for England.

“Danny complained of a tight hamstring before he actually pulled it and we couldn’t get Hernandez on quick enough.

“It is a shame for Danny but it [his absence] will be around four to five weeks.”