Can this Manchester United prodigy establish himself in Sir Alex’s plans next season?

England Under-21’s crashed out of yet another major tournament on Sunday evening, following a trio of disappointing performances in Group B of the Under 21’s European Championships.  Having secured only 2 points from their opening group games, the young lions faced-off against the Czech Republic needing a win to overtake their opponents for a place in the last four. With 15 minutes remaining and with England leading by a goal to nil, the talented group of young hopefuls surrendered the lead as a dramatic late two goal salvo from the Czech Republic side sent England crashing out at the first hurdle.

Danny Welbeck, England’s only goalscorer in the competition with 2 goals against Spain and the Czech Republic, is now eager to return next season and make an impression at his parent club Manchester United. Having spent the entirety of last season on loan at Sunderland, Welbeck has been assured the chance to prove himself by united manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Spending a large part of his career on loan Welbeck now faces the toughest test in his young fledging career to date, establishing himself in Sir Alex’s first team plans. At the moment Manchester United aren’t lacking in terms of striking options to choose from, so Danny must first oust a high calibre international player to move himself up the pecking order and force himself  into Sir Alex’s first team plans. But let’s take a look at the obstacles that lay in the young prospects way; Towards the end of last season Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez were Sir Alex’s first choice partnership with Michael Owen and Premier League top goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov fighting for a place on the bench.  If all the striking options remain at Old Trafford during the summer there will be seven players all vying for a starring role come the start of the season.

So the question is, can Danny Welbeck forge a career and starting place in a star studded Manchester United team? Glancing over his loan spell at Sunderland last season, Welbeck made 26 first team appearances and found the net six times during that spell, but it wasn’t just his goalscoring exploits that caught the eye, it was his all round progression as the leading man up front in what was often a one up top formation. Despite what turned out to be a disastrous Under 21’s campaign for Stewart Pearce’s men, Danny again proved how his game has changed for the better since his debut for Manchester United in 2008.

For three matches Danny lead the line for England on his own with Daniel Sturridge, Danny Rose or Scott Sinclair often supporting from wide positions. Despite the lack of creativity and support from the midfield Danny still managed to bag two goals and create a number of other chances that could have added to his tally, in what was an overall underwhelming performance by the British players, Danny Welbeck is one of few players to emerge from the situation in a positive light.

Loan spells at Preston and Sunderland, over the last 18 months has helped Danny Welbeck gain some much needed first team experience. He has also made great progress in terms of his development his first touch, hold up play, vision and awareness have all improved and typically for player that has come through the ranks at Manchester United, he has an incredible workrate and tremendous desire to succeed at the highest level.

Games at Manchester United will not come easy for Danny next season and he will have to work for every opportunity trusted upon him by Sir Alex Ferguson.

At just 20 years old Danny, is at the most crucial phase of his development and if he can play to the same level and with the same confidence that he gained with Sunderland during last season, he could easily play a part in Sir Alex first team plans. Probably not as a regular starter for the side but with the League Cup, FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League games Danny could well get upwards of 20 appearances and as long as he grasps these opportunities displaying the same hunger and desire that he has to date, he will have proved to Sir Alex that he is the future of Manchester United.

Danny Welbeck has all the potential to be a great success for Manchester United, under the guidance of Sir Alex, but for now that’s all it is potential, it’s now up him to prove he can deal with the demands of playing and winning for one of the world’s biggest football clubs.

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