LONDON - MANCHESTER United striker Federico Macheda was robbed in his home over the weekend, police said Monday, in the latest of a spate of property crimes against Premiership footballers.

Thieves took money and jewellery from the 17-year-old Italian's home in Sale, near Manchester in north-west England, at 3:40 am (0240 GMT) on Sunday in an attack that also left his friend suffering minor head injuries.

'Two men stole cash and jewellery from the victims before running out of the house. One man suffered a minor cut to his head in the robbery. Inquiries are ongoing,' a police spokesman said.

Police was unable to comment on reports that the attack was linked to a row earlier in the evening outside a nightclub in the centre of Manchester.

There has been a spate of burglaries on the homes of footballers in nearby Liverpool, with Liverpool FC's Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Jose Reina, Daniel Agger and Lucas Leiva all targeted within the past two years. -- AFP