What Lies Ahead For Danny Welbeck At Old Trafford?

At 23 years of age, Danny Welbeck is at a stage in his career that could potentially make him or break him.

Last season saw the Manchester United forward make fewer Premier League appearances than he had since before his loan spell at Sunderland in the 2010/11 campaign.  Having said that, he did manage to match his best top flight goals tally by scoring nine goals in the Red Devils’ relatively catastrophic season.

Six Alex Ferguson’s departure and David Moyes’ arrival preceded United’s worst ever Premier League campaign, which was made even more embarrassing due to the side being reigning champions who rarely looked capable of defending their title.  However, despite the poor year for the Old Trafford club, Welbeck did manage to help himself and his team start with a bang by bagging a brace in an opening day victory away at Swansea.

Those two goals would turn out to be a fifth of his total in all competitions come the season’s end, with the England international featuring in 36 games for his club.  That may not seem like a great record for a striker, but being played out of position and having to fight Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney for a starting place did not make things easy for him.

With Louis van Gaal taking the reins at Old Trafford next season, will Welbeck be given a more prominent role in the side or be forced to settle for sporadic appearances on the wing?

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Comments

[Rik Shaw]

Man U is a bit of an unknown with van Gaal next season. Danny Welbeck might suit Arsenal, a kind of Di Maria alternative.Will Rooney and van Gaal work?