Young Danny Welbeck may be the missing link in Sir Alex Ferguson's incredible career
In a Manchester United career spanning 25 years this season, Sir Alex Ferguson has done it all.
An astonishing 12 league titles, 4 league cups, 5 F.A. cups and 2 European Champions Leagues, not to mention the number of finals United have reached throughout his time.
Not only has Ferguson won it all, he has shown that he can continually revitalise and invigorate his sides with young talent – British or foreign – from the Red Devil’s academy.
From Fergie’s Fledglings (“you’ll win nothing with kids”) of Ryan Giggs and then David Beckham, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers and Nicky Butt; to the next generation of admittedly lesser – but still important – players such as Wes Brown and John O’Shea; those around the United squad with whom the verdict is still out, Johnny Evans and Darron Gibson; and the new breed that’s performing so admirably already this season, Tom Cleverley and the most important of all, Danny Welbeck.
Danny Welbeck – it can be argued – is the one missing piece in the puzzle that depicts Sir Alex’s career. The Manchester born youth academy graduate that comes all the way through to England international status under Ferguson’s watch could, and should, be Welbeck.
Now Ferguson’s ability to polish foreign players such as Eric Cantona, Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Cristiano Ronaldo should not be ignored – it is an exceptional list of attackers that he has produced.
Nor should the contribution to England’s cause be forgotten – Andy Cole and Teddy Sherringham both shone brightest at United, not to mention a certain Wayne Rooney, but in terms of defenders who’ve come through at United to play for England you have the Nevilles (85 caps for Gary, 59 for Phil) and Wes Brown (23) and in midfield, David Beckham (115), Paul Scholes (66) and Nicky Butt (39.)
It may be early days in his United career but Danny Welbeck has started the season at a blistering pace, firstly with his shock inclusion in the starting XI for the Community Shield versus Manchester City, and then retaining his place in the league fixtures at the expense of last season’s Premier League golden boot winner Dimitar Berbatov.
Whilst he didn’t score against West Bromwich Albion in United’s inaugural match this season, he more than made up for it in the 3-0 home victory of Tottenham. First heading in Cleverley’s cross for the opener and then playing an audacious back heel across the box for Anderson to score the second.
He followed up this fine performance by grabbing the opener against Arsenal in the 8-2 rout at Old Trafford with a strong header that showed his battling qualities (admittedly shrugging off a powder puff Johan Djourou) before coming off injured in the first half.
He had already shown a penchant for scoring in high profile fixtures – such as notching the third in the 0-3 Sunderland victory at Stamford Bridge last season versus Chelsea.
Whilst it’s hard to not get excited over this flying start to the season, particularly from an England supporters perspective, the partnership struck up with Rooney looks dynamic, energetic and creative, aspects of which an Andy Carroll-Rooney relationship lack.
Welbeck impressed on loan at Sunderland sufficiently to earn his first international cap in the friendly 1-1 draw with Ghana last season, and Fabio Capello - another manager with a penchant for spotting rare talent in young players (see: Raul, Paulo Maldini) and giving them a chance – had been impressed enough to include him in his squad for the Holland game and the preliminary squad for the European qualifiers before his injury at Arsenal.
It’s early days in his Manchester United career, but Welbeck looks to have all the aspects required to succeed for United and England for many years. As long as his electric pace isn’t seared by hamstring injuries the likes of which we saw on Saturday, he could partner Rooney for club and country for the next five seasons and beyond.
Tall, strong, speedy, good in the air, a clinical finisher and by all accounts willing to work hard to make the most of his talent, it will be very interesting to watch the rest of his breakthrough season unfold at United once he returns from injury.
No comments:
Post a Comment