Danny Welbeck was last night hailed a dangerous Premier League hitman.
The Mancunian striker struck the winner at Arsenal – meaning he has scored in three consecutive games for the first time for United’s seniors.
The 21-year-old struck a wonderful volley against City in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium, followed up with the second against Bolton in the league last weekend and his winner at the Emirates keeps United on City’s coat-tails at the head of the Premier League.
Reds defender Chris Smalling was an England Under-21 team-mate of Welbeck’s before he joined him at Old Trafford – and he is impressed with his development.
“Danny has a knack of scoring good goals this year for us and at vital times. That’s a great asset for us to have,” said Smalling.
“This year he is getting his chance and he is such a threat. He causes defences so many problems and he did that again against Arsenal’s. It is great for us.
“He has come on leaps and bounds. He has always had his pace and ability to finish, but he is so much stronger these days.
“Sometimes he has to play up front on his own with Wazza just off him at times and when you have that responsibility you cannot afford to lose the ball when you are in that position.
“You have to be strong to deal with that and that is something his game has gained and he is scoring goals as well. He is a proper Premier League striker now.
“He has come in and joined the show and if he keeps this form up to the end of the season he is going to be great for us and he’ll do well for United and, hopefully, for England in the summer.”
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Welbeck’s winner answered City’s 3-2 win against title rivals Spurs and Smalling believes the Blues could collapse under United’s pressure.
“This was a massive win for us. Even at 1-1 we all knew we had to really win this game after what had happened earlier at City. I think we showed real character to do that,” he added.
“We did see some of the City match on the way here and obviously we did know the result before we started.
“We knew they had scored in the dying minutes but we always know that we cannot rely on them to drop points.
“We always have to do our job and we did that. If we keep ticking off these wins then soon enough they will crumble.
“To be honest we expected City to win. They are playing at home so we expected that. We just needed to make sure we won and not let that gap increase any more.
“Even if we had lost I don’t think it would have ruled us out of the race. Everyone is still there. It is still going to go down to the last few games.
“I think other teams like Arsenal and Chelsea are going to find it difficult to catch us three up now but Spurs did it with a good run so you cannot rule it out. But I think it will be down to us three now.”
Read Stuart Mathieson's match report
here.
Chris Smalling: Danny Welbeck has really joined the big league at Manchester United
January 23, 2012
Comments
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He is the new Andy Cole, get five chances score one.
My goodness, this lad has improved immensely since his return from his Sunderland loan period. I would like to think that Steve Bruce played an important part in the striker's development. Brucie gave him what Danny yearned for - a decent run in the first team!
SAF and our coaching staff also deserve the plaudits for accelerating his progress to now being one of the best strikers in the Premiership. It just goes to show what a good run of first team games can possibly do in improving ANY promising young talent!
Who am I to suggest to SAF how to run his team, but I cannot help but wonder if one or two of our more promising "youngsters" should also be given more first team action? Do any names spring to mind? Just a thought.
United 'til I die!
Well he is out playing ROONEY at the moment however Chico like Berbatov who has the best goals per minutes on the pitch has done little wrong
I know United have a lot of football fans who hate to see us winning. But I know deep down they envy the team spirit. No other team in the league can match United for winning game after game and remain only three points of the top of the Premier League despite all the injuries to key players. SAF is amazing for consistently turning out players who never quit and play their hearts out. Today was an example of that.
I can only hope that Morrison and Pogba realise that they can achieve their goals playing for the best team in the Premier League under the greatest manager in the world. He will make them great players and they will get real recognition for their talent but not before they are ready. They have to have patience and faith in the manager. If they are only in it for the money then they are in for a very rude awkening. Sure they might get more money at another team. But will that team be as good as Man United? Will that team give them the opportunites to win trophies? Will that team put them in the starting line up? It wont happen at City, Chelsea, Arsenal Tottenham or Liverpool. They will have to sit on the bench and then they will have to learn a completely new system. And if they dont live up to expectation ..... well, look at Torres and Carroll; then the fans will vent their anger and then you will regret the day you ever listened to your worthless agents!
Wise up and be a part of the Man United spirit.
Danny is definitely starting to sparkle, keep it up and you will become a top class striker for club and country!
Welbeck - I agree he's growing up fast and I predict a fabulous career in front of him. His work rate has always been excellent and he's definately going to be another United legend. What impressed me was the workman like performance from all the team despite the setbacks - great !
He like Chico would score plenty more if they got the proper service
Wonder why the press are not going on about the Lescott Elbow he should have seen red
Lets not go into a contract issue with this,He is demanding £60,000 a week according to weekend papers.looks like Saf will digging into kitty to sort it
Besides the goal, he was utterly useless.
Welbeck is currently our best performing striker alongside Berbatov. If I was manager, Rooney wouldn't have automatic rights to a first team start. It seems to make him slightly complacent. Berby and Welbeck should be starting!
Cole is gold! Danny has some way to go before filling in our Cole's boots!
Great to finally see a striker come through the ranks. Welbeck looks to have the makings of an excellent player. Hopefully now he can steer clear of injury for the rest of the season, it'll be interesting to see how many goals he finishes up with if he can
Pay the lad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Danny is definately here and now, the lad is a beast with a nice touch and assassin like
deadly finishing. All we need now is for SAF to give a couple of other special youngsters a chance to prove their worthy of the first team, especially now with so many injuires.
Up the Reds!
Danny welbeck is an awsome player,he will go on to be a very high calibre striker given playing time ,he should have had two yesterday...local lad too.cracking talent.
Is he taking over the chuckle brother, GN, as united mouthpeice. small man.