Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
Arguably Manchester United’s best player last night in the victory over Spurs was Danny Welbeck. His performance last night and the way he grew in confidence after getting his goal showed just why those inside Old Trafford have spoken so highly of him over the last couple of years.
Before last night, even after his performance in the Community Shield against Manchester City many fans doubted when it came down to the ‘big occasion’ whether Danny would be not only able to produce when it mattered but be given the chances by Sir Alex Ferguson to do so.
Now of course, it’s only two games into the season but already Danny has shown that he has the quality about him that suggests he could be a success at Old Trafford for many years to come. He is still of course a work-in-progress and there are still aspects of his game that he needs to improve, if he is to become the player that all United fans now want him to be.
Forgetting his goal that he took brilliantly last night, his strength, pace and work-rate have already caught the eye and after watching his performance last night Sir Alex was fully justified into giving the local lad another chance to prove himself.
It’s so vital with young players that they are given regular chances to show their worth to the team because if they are not sent out on loan, more often than not they have to make do with cameo 10-15minute appearances here and there which does not give them much time to make a mark on games.
Yes Danny has been helped by the fact that Javier Hernandez has missed the start of the season due to a concussion and that Sir Alex appears to be favouring him ahead of Dimitar Berbatov – but still he has gone out there and given his all and has impressed despite the pressure on his young shoulders.
Clearly he has benefited from his time out on loan to Steve Bruce’s Sunderland last season where he impressed scoring 6 times in 28 appearances. His link-up play with Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan last year was exceptional and but for a torn cartilage that ended his season, would have probably added a few more goals as well.
Impressing so early on in the season is defiantly the best thing that could have happened to Danny and his goal last night will surely give him and his team mates the confidence that he can score goals and lead the line well at this level.
It was very clear to see after getting his goal, his persona on the pitch seemed to grow and he looked much stronger and confident on the ball and but for the excellent goalkeeping of Brad Friedel could easily have scored a second last night.
His cheeky back-heel that set up Anderson’s goal last night was a beautiful piece of skill to watch. Very few forwards (both young and experienced) would have had the imagination and knowledge to have been aware of Anderson’s run into the area and 9/10 would have shot for goal themselves.
By back-heeling the ball perfectly into the Brazilian’s path last night, Danny showed that he’s not just a ‘tall lad up top’ and that alike so many great attacking-minded players at this club has that ‘sixth sense’ of awareness to play in others and that’s a great sign to see so early into the season.
By starting the season well, it’s hopefully done Danny the world of good and when Hernandez and Berbatov are given their chances this season, hopefully he will be able to come on and immediately make an impact knowing that he is good enough to play for United.
The one thing he must not do of course is get carried away by his performance last night but from listening to his interview after the game, you get the sense that he is not the type of player to lose focus after one game and that he will work hard in training and build on his effort last night, which must have impressed watching England manager Fabio Capello.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
Very arguable e was shocking first half and most of second. He's too light weight and got knocked all overthe shop first half. Sure it was a good header and a good back heel but hr shouldn't even make the bench with berbatov and hernandez both fit. I think your getting carried away, jones should have been MOM he was absolutely brilliant the whole game.
Well that's fair enough Dan. I do feel that he does need to improve all aspects of his game as I did say he's still a 'work in progress', that being said when he plays well he is going to get praised by supporters. I wouldn't say I'm getting carried away at all, as in the 'big' games in the PL and CL he probably isn't going to be selected and rightly so as Chicharito and Berbatov have the exp needed in those games.
You are right with Phil Jones, who had an excellent game v Spurs and looked extremely solid and reliable. On of the WAFU writers will be doing an article on him this week, so bear that in mind.