Welbeck's the danger man for Owen

James Robson

October 29, 2009

Michael Owen

MICHAEL Owen must be wondering where the next threat to his international ambitions will come from.

The United striker is desperate to force his way into Fabio Capello's World Cup plans - but everywhere he turns another challenger enters the fray.

If it is not the free-scoring Jermain Defoe, it is Peter Crouch stealing the show with two goals against Belarus earlier this month as Owen watched from the shadows at Wembley.

He will hope he doesn't remain permanently in the dark as far as Capello is concerned and will at least have been heartened by the England manager's comments this week, describing him as his "tormentor."

In many ways it was a good week for Owen, who scored a stunning goal to seal United's place in the last eight of the Carling Cup with a 2-0 win at Barnsley on Tuesday.

But as a player who forced his way into Glenn Hoddle's World Cup squad at the age of 18 in 1998, he will recognise the potential of another teenage sensation, who also found his way on to the scoresheet at Oakwell. Danny Welbeck scored his second goal in as many games in the competition this season, adding to his winner against Wolves in the third round.

Right now he is a long way from Capello's first-team plans - he's not even a regular for United - but Sir Alex Ferguson has already backed him to make the plane to South Africa.

"Danny's a certainty to make it at the highest level," he said earlier this year. "I've told Fabio Capello the boy will be in his World Cup squad next year. Wide left or right or through the middle, he has the intelligence, guts, athleticism and talent to do the job."

Welbeck prospects

How serious Fergie is about Welbeck's short-term prospects will be proven by the amount of chances he is given at United between now and the end of the season - but it is notable that Ferguson's comments were made before he signed Owen on a free transfer from Newcastle in the summer.

Since then Owen's England hopes have become a source of national debate. And despite his unforgettable winner in the derby against City, it has been a disjointed start to his United career. Capello has not been on hand to witness any of his three goals for United but was there to see Owen pull up after 20 minutes against Wolfsburg with a groin strain last month.

That will have only added to his concerns that Owen's fitness cannot be relied upon at a major tournament.

It will be interesting to see if Capello hands him his first international appearance since March 2008 when England face Brazil in Qatar on November 14, with time now running out for him to stake his claim for a place in the World Cup squad.

Owen is currently behind Wayne Rooney, Emile Heskey, Defoe, Crouch, Carlton Cole and Gabriel Agbonlahor in Capello's reckoning and it will take more than a goal - albeit a superb one - against Barnsley to convince the Italian that he should take a gamble on him.

Owen aspirations

And the 29-year-old is clearly frustrated by the way his performances have viewed so far this season - insisting he is about more than just goals.

"That's how people judge me, unfortunately," he said. "I started the recent game against Bolton, we won 2-1 and when I came off, I was pretty pleased with myself. I thought I'd played really well but I didn't score and when I looked in the papers the next day, I was given threes and fours out of ten. Against Barnsley I've played pretty average but I've scored so I'll probably get a six or a seven."

International aspirations couldn't be further from Welbeck's mind right now, with the England Under-21 international more concerned about making himself a regular at United.

The 18-year-old was due to have a scan on his knee yesterday after coming off early at Oakwell but was delighted to help ensure United maintain their grip on the Carling Cup, which should also guarantee him more starts in the first team.

"It is great to get further in the cups," he said. "I'm already looking forward to the quarter-finals. We'll certainly enjoy it and do our best. It was a young team we had out but the experienced players helped us massively. All the young players did really well and we are just looking forward to the next match."

Both Owen's and Welbeck's hopes could be hit if Ferguson rekindles his interest in Valencia pair David Villa and David Silva.

The financially strapped Spanish club are ready to cash in on their star assets, with a fee of around £50m believed to be enough to land the pair of them. Ferguson tried to sign Silva last year and is a long term admirer of Villa but has so far baulked at Valencia's asking price.

Who is better, Welbeck or Owen? Have your say.

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stevi, france (29/10/2009 at 10:41)

Sorry but I think this world Cup has come too early for Welbeck, he needs to be holding down a regular place in the first team to have any chance....I think if Owen can get a run in the team he'll score goals and will rightly have a good chance of being on the plane to SA. He's got the big game experience, I think still has a good goal to game ratio for England even those his form hasn't been good the last couple of seasons.

Owen should just concentrate getting into his best form for United and the rest will fall into place....Welbeck can help defend the tile in 2014 :p

Scholesy passed me the ball..., England (29/10/2009 at 10:49)

I think it'll be too early for him. And if he does go I could imagine Fergie kicking up a stink - he's too young for this pressure, he needs to develop here first etc etc..

tooth&claw, manchester (29/10/2009 at 10:50)

Typical of James Robson to portray the emergence of Welbeck as a threat to Owen. That boy really hates United and changes even the most positive of stories to be anti-United. He should be restricted to reporting on City.

Bill Wirral (29/10/2009 at 11:21)

Welbeck will be nowhere near ready for SA but he has the potebtial to do well in later years. I do worry though sometimes about all the hype surrounding some of these youngsters. They are doing really well in the reserves with some showing outstanding potential more than others but really if you think about it are they being talked about in the same breath as Giggsy, Becks, Butty, the Nevs and the best of the bunch Scholesy, at the time that they were making their mark. Take Toscic for instance. There is no way he is as good as Giggsy was at 22. Giggsy was even better than him at 16. Meckaedo hasn't kicked on in fact I've been disappointed with him of late. I remember the last game of the season against Hull when he and Welbeck totally ignored one another on the pitch and were just playing for themselves and a place on the European CF bench. There is a problem with praising kids publicly and that is that they start beleiving in their own hype and start thinking they don't have to work hard anymore. I hope everyone of them proves me wrong and goes on to achieve their great potential. Come on you lads lets see you do it.

roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (29/10/2009 at 11:37)

James Robson your a bertie and thats a fact!

Owen is still a world class finisher. Better than Tevez and Santa Cruz.

and hes english .... nuff said

danny, WILMSLOW (29/10/2009 at 13:11)

Bill,
Take Toscic for instance. There is no way he is as good as Giggsy was at 22. Giggsy absolute garbage TOSIC is a great little player with more strings to his bow than Giggs ever had at that age.

Brora boy, Highlands (29/10/2009 at 13:33)

Right now Wellbeck may very well be under consideration but only because he is playing for us. If he was with one of the smaller clubs his name would not even come up. He is miles away from regular first team football and could not lace Owen's boots. Look at Owen's goals and the way he tucks them away. Magic.

stevi, france (29/10/2009 at 13:35)

danny, WILMSLOW 29/10/2009 at 13:11

you're off suject again!! but I can't let this go without comment.....

"Giggsy absolute garbage TOSIC is a great little player with more strings to his bow than Giggs ever had at that age."

you've either been smoking the wacky bacy or you've lost the plot completely I never thought even you could say such rubbish.....Giggs has more talent in his little finger than Tosic has he his whole body.....

You have just got to be a windup merchant cos there's absolutely no sense in what you say 99.99999% of the time......

Bill Wirral (29/10/2009 at 13:49)

Okay Danny I will drop the name of Nurd while I answer your post about Giggsy. Your comments on SAF don't warrant an answer but this one of Ryan is just.......well words fail me. I do like tosic and I think he is a very good player but to suggest he is better than Giggsy when Ryan was 22 is laughable.

GC Northstand (29/10/2009 at 15:24)

Oh Danny Boy your piles your piles are hurting
Because through your bottom you are clearly talking
Your constant tripe is really quite amusing
But Citaaees site is where now must go.

Ed from Davyhulme, Manchester (29/10/2009 at 15:55)

Having watched Danny Wellbeck work his way through the junior sides, I must say that I have been impressed. Remember that he is only just 19 and he has made some telling contributions over the last couple of years. He has a delightful touch and has the ability to run at pace with the ball (so many players can only pass and run) and can dribble/pass/shoot. I'm hoping that working alongside Michael Owen (finding space in the box), Dimitir Berbatov (bringing colleagues into the movement with telling passes) and Wayne Rooney (mental strength) will bring Danny to a level that will see him as a starter for United and England. How soon (or if) this happens, depends on SAF who will need to decide whether he gets more starts to see whether he can hack it with the big boys.
Incidentally, this debate about Giggs and Tosic is daft. For those with short memories, Ryan Giggs only played in the final of the Youth Cup because he was playing with the first team and SAF didn't want to risk him in the earlier rounds. He was seventeen and he has been a regular first teamer ever since. Although I have liked the look of Zoran Tosic (I am a regular at Altrincham), the fact is that SAF, in selecting his squad for the early stages of the Champions League, opted to select Owen Hargreaves and Gabriel Obertan, both of which were long term injuries, ahead of Tosic. Is there need for any more debate on the subject?

Duncan, London (29/10/2009 at 15:59)

"Giggsy absolute garbage TOSIC is a great little player with more strings to his bow than Giggs ever had at that age. "

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Gilly, Belgium (29/10/2009 at 16:04)

Welbeck is no threat to Owen in my opinion.

Red-Brit-in-It (29/10/2009 at 17:41)

No way Welbeck can be in the World Cup squad - he's too inexperienced even if he has enormous potential. Michael Owen is right about there being more to his game - what about that lovely through ball he played when we were 1-0 up? I fear he won't get enough time on the pitch to get back into the England team- it's a pity because he plays well with Roooney. I feel the solution is to use Berb as a deep lying forward, because he's great at assists. Put rooney and Owen in front of him.

Rick Jenks, Bury (29/10/2009 at 17:47)

Fact Owen will score some goals but is not as good as he was and is now a bit part player otherwise he would be selected for every game.

James Robson your a bertie and thats a fact!

Owen is still a world class finisher. Better than Tevez and Santa Cruz.

and hes english .... nuff said
roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!)
29/10/2009 at 11:37

DUB RED, CLONDALKIN (29/10/2009 at 18:08)

I dont think either will make the squad unless at least 3 of the above strickers get injured.Cappello is either playing games with Owen knowing what he is capable of and leaving him out and when he gets a chance he will make the most of it.Or what i really believe he is just not his cup of tea managers can be like that sometimes they just dont rate players and wont use them.On the other hand Wellbeck is still young and the next World Cup will be a more realistic target.

Duncan, London (29/10/2009 at 18:19)

The only thing that happens when young players get built up is not that it goes to the player's head (presumably the manager knows these players sufficiently well to know how it will impact on them) its that certain fans start to get on his back prematurely and unnecessarily. I get a little fed up of fans saying already this is going to head. Where is the evidence? There is none.

And Danny. Please stop talking rubbish about Giggs my sides can't take it any more.

bobbydazzler (29/10/2009 at 19:23)

danny wilmslow.

quite simply at 19 giggs was at the height of his powers and was simply the best left winger in the world at such a tender age. HE STILL IS. tosic looks a decent little player and may well develop into a competent player. hopefully in another 7 or 8 years he will be half as good aplayer as giggs was at 19 if he is he will be some player.

it is not giggsy who should be receiving your brickbats . there are other players who occasionally get to play on the left wing who tosic would probably do a better job than.

ENGINEER, Heywood (29/10/2009 at 23:35)

Sorry I don't think Welbeck is anywhere near going to SA and unless he improves his first touch and adds a bit of strength to his game it wlll not be the next one either.
As for MAcheda forget it he has let it all go to his head and thinks he can beat all defenders on his on as the match tonight agains liverpool shown. Tosic was very good when he came on and scored a terrific free kick. Pity we can't take penalties.

Kiyonori Tada (30/10/2009 at 02:35)

I dont`t think Welbeck threat for Owen right now,it`s too early and not ready yet even united first team,so next world cup is nowhere near for him and Owen is more near and become reality !!! but Welbeck is absolutely one for future united and england,he improve alot and keep score at carling cup,which is good and give pressure to first team,I like his play style and hope we can see more often him at first team this season...

MAN U>CR7, SINGAPORE (08/11/2009 at 15:07)

WELLBECK NOT READY, MICHAEL ISS

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