Lazio president Claudio Lotito has called for a change in regulations to prevent homegrown players such as new Manchester United sensation Federico Macheda from moving abroad.

Macheda burst onto the football scene on Sunday when he came off the bench against Aston Villa to curl home a brilliant stoppage-time winner.

The 17-year-old's performance came of little surprise to Lotito, who is still upset that the former Lazio trainee was allowed to move to Old Trafford two years ago.

"We tried in every way to stop Manchester United from taking away our player but the present Italian regulations don't give you any type of defence," said Lotito.

"In reality we find ourselves in front of a proper cattle market.

"I talked repeatedly with Macheda's parents, we established a dialogue, but it was not possible to do anything. We could not compete with United's offer.

"That is not right, we have to be provided with more reliable and concrete rules than those which govern Italian clubs." Italian clubs are prevented from tying a player under the age of 18 to a contract.