The 21-year-old is looking forward to Thursday’s Europa League tie against his boyhood club, but insists he will be giving his all for his new side

Federico Macheda has spoken of his love for Lazio ahead of Stuttgart’s Europa League game against his former team on Thursday.

The striker is currently on loan from Manchester United and is expected to make his first start for the Bundesliga club due to the suspension of Vebad Ibisevic, who has scored 11 league goals in 21 appearances this season.

“To be honest, I’m a fan of Lazio. I still watch every game on TV,” the striker told Bild. “But I’m a professional, I’m wearing the Stuttgart jersey tomorrow and I will give everything.”

The Italian joined the club in January after seeing his first team opportunities at Old Trafford further limited by the summer signing of Robin van Persie and and remains open to a permanent move to Germany.

“If Stuttgart offered me a contract I would be very happy to take that chance,” he added. “I think I can develop myself here because you are working with other young players.”

Both teams are heading into Thursday’s game in poor form, with die Roten having won only one of their last nine Bundesliga matches and the Biancocelesti just two of their previous eight Serie A outings.

Macheda came through the youth ranks at Lazio before joining the Red Devils as a 16-year-old and has since had loan spells at Sampdoria and QPR prior to his latest temporary switch to the Bundesliga.