Danny Welbeck

A successful loan spell at Sunderland (where he played out wide for large periods) was cut short by injury. He was England's top scorer in U21 Championships this summer, and he is looking very good in pre-season so far (he has been played as a Left winger, a striker and a central midfielder so far on tour).

Highlights of his game against the fire. We were poor in that first half but I thought Welbeck was one of the (if not the) standout performer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hQ05hPUqfM

He has always possessed this Henry/Berbesque arrogance to his play but since returning from loan I feel that his dribbling, skills and ball control have improved a great deal. His running has looked a little clumsy before (Adebayoresque) but its becoming much more refined. What has rarely been in doubt is his scoring ability (both the simple and the spectacular) and he seems to have gotten a little better aerially too over the course of the previous season.

I see him as Berbatov's biggest challenger. Although his vision and touch are not at Berbatov's level (yet) he seems to be the most comfortable and quickest out of those on the periphery (Diouf, Macheda, Owen).

I really hope he gets a fair crack of the whip next season. Welbeck, Rooney, Young, Nani (and to a lesser extent Park) offer the sort of versatility going forward that none of the other forwards and wingers do (Obertan is capable tactically, but his game isn't at that level yet). Its the sort of versatility we have lacked for a good two years, and having that option again of interchanging fluid attacking players can only be a bonus to United.