08/09 Review: Welbeck

Academy and Reserves watchers will not have been surprised by Danny Welbeck’s progress; the young forward is one of the most exciting striking talents to emerge from United’s ranks for years...

Start to finish: An out-and-out striker at Reserve level, Welbeck has comfortably made the step up. He made three first-team appearances in the league and also hit two goals in three FA Cup starts, which included a Wembley semi-final outing.

In position: He can lead the line, play off the shoulder or out wide.

Season highlight: It’s the stuff of dreams to come off the bench to make your league debut, and then smash a shot into the top corner. But that moment became a reality for Welbeck against Stoke in November, when he scored United’s fourth in a 5-0 win.

Vital contribution: Born in Longsight, his presence is a boost to all those hoping to play for the club they support.

Any lows? Sir Alex admits Welbeck can “get a bit weak at some moments during games”.

Any other business? Welbeck’s Potters strike was on Match of the Day’s shortlist for Goal of the Month.

They say: “He has bags of ability, and his temperament is spot on. He has a chance of achieving big things here.” Michael Carrick

How do you rate Danny's contribution to the season? Have your say on Talking Reds.

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19. Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck, a highly promising forward capable of spectacular goals, was handed a first-team squad number for the 2008/09 season after starring for the Academy and Reserves.

The Manchester-born frontman joined United's youth set-up in summer 2007 and quickly caught the eye with his skilful, strong and pacy displays, which have seen him likened by Sir Alex Ferguson to former Arsenal forward Nwankwo Kanu.

He bagged nine goals in 14 starts for the Academy in 2007/08 and seven goals in 11 starts for the Reserves, including a superb hat-trick against Manchester City, as the

Reds' second string won both the Manchester and Lancashire Senior Cups.

His performances earned him a call-up to the first-team squad for United's winter trip to Saudi Arabia. Although he missed a last-minute penalty, Welbeck impressed in his 25-minute appearance against Al Hilal.

Welbeck was later named on the substitutes' bench for the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona and was part of the travelling party for the final in Moscow.

An increasing part of Sir Alex's plans, Welbeck rmade a bigger impression on the first team in the 2008/09 campaign.

His debut came in September 2008's Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough, and his first senior goal was a wonderful long-range effort against Stoke at Old Trafford two months later.

He also started the Carling Cup final triumph over Spurs at Wembley in March 2009.

As a schoolboy, Welbeck, capable of playing out wide as well as up front, played a prominent role in the Under-18s’ run to the 2006/07 FA Youth Cup final.

He’s also represented England at youth level, scoring at the

Under-17s World Championships in Korea in summer 2007 before joining the squad for the Under-19s European Championships a year later.