Newcastle supporters will see a teenager with the world at his feet when
Giuseppe Rossi makes his first senior start in United's stripes this evening.
Oct 25 2006
By Paul Gilder, The Journal
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He grew up following the fortunes of AC Milan and the New York Knicks, is
affectionately known as `Joe Red' by the supporters at Old Trafford and, at the
age of 19, has already turned down the chance to play at the World Cup finals.
That there is something a little bit different about Giuseppe Rossi is
obvious by the merest examination of his background. For one so young, the
talented teenager has already got a fascinating tale to tell.
The latest chapter in Rossi's remarkable story will begin at St James's
Park this evening when the striker starts his first game in Newcastle colours.
Considering what the striker is expected to achieve during the course of his
career, the home supporters should make the most of it.
"I'm really looking forward to seeing him play," said Glenn Roeder who, if
Rossi should turn out to be as good as he is said to be, will have pulled off a
managerial masterstroke in acquiring his services on loan from Manchester
United this summer.
The former Parma prospect has been forced to exercise considerable patience
since his arrival from the Theatre of Dreams and considering Newcastle's
nightmarish start to the season, all of a black-and-white persuasion will be
willing him to succeed when he lines up against Portsmouth.
"I like to give young players a chance to settle in and get to know every-
one and he has done that now," explained the Magpies boss, whose opinion of one
of European football's most highly-rated young players has been reinforced on
Tyneside's training pitches in recent weeks. "He has been patient and has shown
us a lot of quality and I have to say that he is a hell of a lad to work with.
The squad have taken to him massively and it has been a pleasure to be around
him. This will be his first start and he deserves it. I can't wait to see how
he gets on."
Born in Clifton, New Jersey - 10 miles west of New York City on Route 46 -
Rossi moved to the homeland of his Italian parents as a 12-year-old and quickly
immersed himself into the sporting culture of a European footballing giant.
A youth team player at Parma, his big break came four years later when Sir
Alex Ferguson invested ￡200,000 in his talents. It has long appeared a shrewd
move on the United manager's part.
Having represented Italy at Under-16, 17 and 18 levels, Rossi had a
difficult decision to make this summer when Bruce Arena invited him to join up
with the United States squad ahead of the World Cup finals.
Yet although he could have found himself bound for Germany had he agreed, a
player who has long dreamed of wearing the blue shirt of the Azurri declined
the offer in order to pursue his dream of becoming a senior Italian inter-
national.
With Roberto Donadoni a great admirer of his talents, a player who was last
night named by Pierluigi Casiraghi in his latest Under-21 squad has no regrets.
And with the club football he needs to further his international claims set to
be forthcoming, neither should he have.
"He is an excellent young talent," said Roeder, who is planning to utilise
Rossi's talents on a regular basis as he attempts to recover from what has been
a difficult start to Newcastle's campaign.
"With all these games starting to creep up on us, he has got a big part to
play here and there will be more and more opportunities for him.
"He hasn't played a lot of 11-a-side football over the last couple of
months but he's a young man who I believe will play with a lot of energy. You
just get the impression in training that he's always sniffing out chances and
he is always trying to get a shot away quickly.
"He's bright, he knows where his own team-mates are on the field and where
the defenders are. He's a clever lad."
Rossi is also a prolific scorer, as his record of 42 goals in 49 reserve-
team appearances for the Red Devils shows. Both Ferguson and Roeder believe the
diminutive frontman can prove equally effective on the senior stage and, whilst
Ferguson has been unable to offer him regular action so far in his career,
Roeder is at a point where he should be able to satisfy his growing ambitions.
Having marked his Manchester United debut with a goal in a 3-1 win at the
Stadium of Light last season, Rossi has already endeared himself to the
Gallowgate faithful and will be determined to further his growing reputation
this evening.
Should he succeed it could lead to a longer spell in the North-East, with
Roeder last night hinting he could attempt to extend his loan contract until
the end of the season. "As it stands, he will go back to Old Trafford on
January 1 and, when he does go back, he will have a big career with Manchester
United," added a manager who is hoping to first reap the benefits of Rossi's
talents.
"That's the agreement we have at the minute but we will see how many games
he plays for us, how well he does, how Manchester United are doing in the
Champions League and whether Alex wants him back.
"As it stands, he will go back on January 1. Who knows what might happen
after that? All I know is I really like working with him."
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