After rotting on the bench at Newcastle United for the first four and half months of the season, Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi admits that he wasn’t expecting much from his January loan move to relegation-threatened Parma of Serie A, but the Italian-American has played a pivotal role in the Italian club’s bid to avoid the drop, scoring nine goals in 17 league matches since his arrival. Indeed, Rossi’s team-leading goal tally has made him far and away the Parma’s most valuable player in the second half of the season. Last weekend’s 4-1 demolition of Messina, in which he scored two goals, all but ensures that Parma will remain in Serie A next season.
“I am very pleased with my form but the most important [thing] is that we are doing well collectively,” he said. In the wake of his unexpected success, the press has eagerly followed the talented striker around, trying to get a sense of where the New Jersey native will end up next season. Rossi told Inside United Magazine that his “first priority” is to break into the Red Devils’ first team: “I want to come back to United not as the kid in the reserves who makes a step up, but as a player fully involved in the senior squad…I want to stay at Old Trafford for as long as I can.” The 20-year-old Rossi told Parma’s Web site he would consider other offers if manager Sir Alex Ferguson has other plans.
To the chagrin of U.S. soccer fans everywhere, Rossi, a dual citizen, has repeatedly declared his intention to play internationally at the senior level for world champion Italy. He is yet to receive a call-up, and we continue to hope the youngster changes his mind.