Robin van Persie’s move to Manchester United from Arsenal is undoubtedly the biggest of this summer’s transfer window but we look at why Danny Welbeck’s decision to put pen to paper on a new four deal will be the club’s most important signing.
After the arrival of van Persie at Old Trafford, many doubted that the Welbeck would be able to enjoy a similar run in the first-team as he did last season where he scored 12 goals from 38 appearances in all competitions. This new contract is a real statement from the England striker though but also a real show of faith from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The belief shown by Ferguson comes after Welbeck has shown great progression in the last couple of years. During a season-long loan at Sunderland, Welbeck impressed as he scored 6 times in the Premier League, his first coming in a 3-0 away win to Chelsea – a result which was received extremely well by his parent-club. Then, after being courted by Ghana, Welbeck chose to play for England and made his debut as they drew one-one in a friendly against the Ghanaians at Wembley. The striker missed two months of the season with a frustrating hamstring injury and then his loan-spell was cut short by yet another injury.
Welbeck was then given his chance to shine in the Man United first team and he did just that. His performances were enough to put him on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award and won him a place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.
The 21-year-old scored the winner for England with a delightful chip as they beat Belgium one-nil in a warm-up match before the finals and then scored the winner as the Three Lions overcame Sweden 3-0 in the group stages of the tournament.
Van Persie’s decision to swap North London for the red half of Manchester is a massive boost for United’s hope to wrestle their Premier League crown back from neighbours City but it is Welbeck’s new deal and the prospect of his future which the fans should be more excited about. He is eight years van Persie’s junior and has his best years to come whilst the Dutchman is arguably at his peak now.
In 2016, when Welbeck’s new deal will be set to expire, the striker will still only be 25 and coming towards his peak but if he continues to show the progress he has made over the last couple of seasons then expect him to be signing another extension before this one runs out.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be particularly pleased after securing Welbeck’s long-term future after recently losing other academy players. The troubled but talented Ravel Morrison was sold to West Ham United in January with his contract expiring and Paul Pogba who left for Juventus after his ran down, whilst youngster Ezekiel Fryers ended up refusing to renew and made a surprise move to Standard Liege. Tying Welbeck down nice and early in his career will only help him reach his full potential whereas those who let themselves slip away from Old Trafford, will not.
So what does all this mean for Manchester United’s striking options? One things for certain, Sir Alex is spoiled for choice. Whilst many think it will be Wayne Rooney and one other, it could even be all three. Last season away to Wolves, Rooney played behind Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, so Rooney just behind Van Persie and Welbeck really could happen. If it did, opposition defences should be fearful.
Who do the Manchester United fans want to see up-front? And what is your reaction to Danny Welbeck’s new deal?
image: © vagueonthehow
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