Danny Welbeck – the boy who grew up to be a man!

“Welbeck just got it away… and it’s returned quickly by Manucho, Welbeck’s done that! Oh that’s tremendous! That seals things beautifully for Manchester United. Here’s another name to reckon with – 17 year old Danny Welbeck – a goal to remember on his Premier League debut. It is a beauty!”

Welbeck scoring his first goal in front of the Stretford End!

A certain 17 year old, scrawny young local lad burst into the fore at the Theater of Dreams with a long range effort against Stoke and boy did he do it in style!

“Scoring in front of the Stretford End is what every young boy from Manchester dreams of,” he said after scoring. “I loved it. I’ve thought about it every day of my life ever since I started playing football.”

Fast forward three years to 2011. He has relegated the likes of Chicharito and Berbatov, one who had scored 20 goals in his first season at United and the other, who was the Premier League top scorer last season, to the bench hitting a rich vein of form right from the word go this season. His performances notably against Arsenal, Basel earlier in the season and against Fulham, Bolton and City of late has earned him lots of praise right from the manager, fans, his teammates to the critics. He’s the only player after Mark Hughes who has made it through the ranks and gone on to belt out sterling performances. All this was solely due to his successful loan spell at the Stadium of Light in the 2010-11 season. It did him a world of good under former Red Steve Bruce which eventually helped Sunderland manage a respectable 10^th in the table which was their highest top flight finish in 10 years. With week in, week out matches in the league, Danny gradually became accustomed to the rigors of the fast paced English game and helped him build his physical as well as mental strength immensely. Sir Alex didn’t want to lose out Welbeck on a permanent transfer and stated his intentions that Welbeck was indeed going to play for United in the coming season.

Welbeck has so far started 7 of the last 9 games for United and managed to score a goal in each of his last 3 games. His partnership alongside Rooney has seemed to unlock many defenses apart time and again. He isn’t the finished article yet, and can be developed further into a top class player. He’ll look to improve his finishing and continue to do so; meanwhile it’ll be difficult for Chicharito and Berbatov to come back if Danny is in such form. He is getting better and better and so does his all round game. The only thing he lacks is the clinical finishing but of course, that will come with experience. 9 goals so far in this season is not a bad return at all for a 21 year old. Also as an added benefit, especially in the big games, Danny has a superior ability to hold the ball up front on his own. At the moment, with all those little one-two’s, his aerial prowess, better dribbling ability and physique and his hold up play has an edge over Chicharito. When the latter comes back to form, Sir Alex will be spoilt for choice to choose between the two. One more important thing to be taken into account is that Rooney thrives when Danny is around him which we have witnessed till date, as it takes the pressure off Rooney to supply him. The same thing doesn’t happen with Chicharito with Rooney around him; man-mark Rooney and a key part of the link-up between the front two is gone. Danny on the other hand can interchange positions with Rooney and can wreak havoc against the opposition.

Don’t be surprised if Welbeck starts against arch-rivals Liverpool in the massive FA Cup tie. After having proved his mettle in the past, Welbeck is surely on his way to become one of the most potent weapons in the United armory. It is great to see fans appreciating just how great a player Welbeck will become for us. Youth is our most precious resource. Nothing can beat the sight of a local lad scoring against the rivals.

Are you watching, Capello?

The typical Ghanian celebration, duh!

PS: Danny boy needs to change his style of celebrating the goals, IMO! :)