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Danny Welbeck could begin a never-ending argument between differing sets of Manchester United fans. I’ve heard the following complaints that many times from different United fans, they’re becoming as whiny as Arsenal supporters.
“He’s not United quality”, “Welbeck doesn’t score enough goals”, and “He only plays because he’s a Manc”.
I have pity on those who don’t see the quality of Danny Welbeck, and deep sorrow for those who can’t to love this Mancunian, who just gets what it means to be a Manchester United player.
When these persistent naggers continue to question and make negative comments on my boy Welbz, I question whether they have actually seen him play?
Statistics have ruined the beautiful game, nowadays supporters far and wide back-up their arguments against a player purely on their match day statistics.
Yes, forwards were put on this Earth to score goals, and many heroes tend to be goal-scoring machines – Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are names which spring to mind. But in the case of Danny Welbeck, his game and contribution go far beyond scoring goals.
He is in the defensive forward prototype and he works his absolute bollocks off, on all parts of the field. When United are down to their first line of defence, Welbeck is there, clamping down on the opposition, forcing errors and denying them space or time to make an impact. His contribution in that aspect is far greater than some of United’s defenders this season.
Yes his goal-to-game ratio isn’t where it should, but at times that’s largely down to the fact he has been played out wide, and out of position. But when he is reverted to that wide position, he is always tracking back and putting in a solid shift defensively to prevent fullbacks and wide men of the opposition from doubling-up and countering-up on United’s defenders.
Over this season, whenever Moyes has included Welbeck in United’s starting XI, we have looked a better side. When he was substituted on for Robin van Persie against West Bromwich Albion, he injected some much-needed pace and selflessness off the ball to stretch the defence, and a little bit of unpredictability.
Welbeck’s value to Manchester United will always go far beyond his goal scoring contribution. His work rate, defensive abilities, his chasing down defenders and soaring ability to press from the front makes him a unique and gifted prospect.
One of my favourite performances of Danny has to be against Real Madrid. That goal, is was something special and the celebration afterwards almost gave me a myocardial infarction. Welbeck showed such an elite level of intelligence in that match, and Madrid couldn’t keep up with his electric pace and stamina. He had the great Xabi Alonso in his back pocket at the Bernabeau – not many can say they’ve achieved that.
Finally, if anyone caught Welbeck’s reaction after Wayne Rooney scored that breathtaking half-field volley against West Ham on Sunday Morning, your heart would’ve been filled with pure warmth. This guy genuinely loves this club, and completely understands what it means to play for this club.
It’s refreshing to see a footballer in these modern times so completely in love with the club they play for.
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