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19. DANNY WELBECK
Birthdate: 26 Nov 1990
Birthplace: Manchester
Position: Forward
Appearances: 13
Goals: 3
Joined United: 01 Jul 2007
United Debut: 23 Sept 2008 v Boro (H)
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, and finished with three goals in 13 appearances in all competitions.
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.
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