If recent reports are to be believed, then the 24-year-old Mancunian will swiftly follow Nani out the door.
Joining the academy at the age of nine, 2008 saw the occasionally inspirational Welbeck make his first team debut in the League Cup against Middlesbrough. After his first EPL appearance against Stoke, a game that saw the gangly 17 year old score a fantastic goal at the Stretford End, the English media were quick to describe the young man as the nation’s new messiah.
Is Danny Welbeck’s United dream quickly becoming a nightmare?
However, Welbeck, while being a decent player, has been anything but the Messiah of Manchester. With Sunderland resigned to the fact they will not be signing Fabio Borini any time soon, the Black Cats have reportedly turned their attention to the United striker. Earlier in the summer, after allegedly agreeing a £14 million deal for the Italian striker, it looked as if Gus Poyet had signed the man that looked so impressive during his loan spell last season. Borini’s hesitancy in signing a permanent deal with Sunderland seemed to stem from a desire to stick it out and prove his worth to Brendan Rodgers team. Good luck with that, Fabio, especially now that Mario Balotelli’s has arrived in town.
By picking Javier Hernandez to partner Wayne Rooney for the opening game against Swansea City last weekend, was Louis van Gaal showing his hand? While many see Welbeckas a versatile player, van Gaal does not seem too inspired by the Englishman. The name Danny Welbeck represents something different to most Manchester United fans, the striker’s name alone is as controversial as it is prominent. While some curse and cry when they see his name on the team-sheet, others thank the Gods of football, whilst some just roll around on the ground, unable to control their laughter. Losing a player that oozes pure passion and purpose wouldn’t be United’s proudest moment, but if van Gaal can replace Danny with a foreign mercenary in the mould of Angel DiMaria or Edison Cavani, then who really cares? With that being said, the only way LvG could rationalize the sale of Welbeck is by signing a superior player, preferably any of the aforementioned attackers.
Unjustly targeted by sections of English fans in the build up to this summer’s disastrous Brazilian display, we must remember that Welbeck is often asked to perform out of position on the wing. Just imagine if Daniel Sturridge was still being deployed as a wide player, he certainly would not be playing for Liverpool, that is for sure. Now, I realize that Sturridge is a far superior player , but Welbeck did become a regular under Sir Alex, showing himself to be a decent player. Nevertheless, it appears the man who had loan spells at Preston and Sunderland could be destined for a permanent move to The Stadium Of Light. Will he be missed? Sure, United fans will miss his enthusiasm, however, they will not miss his goals, simply because he didn’t score enough.
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