Danny Welbeck is still remembered fondly on Wearside for his contribution as a 19 year old loanee during the 10/11 season. Netting in a famous 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, the Manchester United forward followed that up with a brace against Everton before firing the winner past Bolton before Christmas. He would score just two more goals for the club during the season but the loan signing was hailed as a positive one.
Just getting the minutes in the Premier League and to be playing week in, week out with the big boys was a really big step for me. I really loved my time there. Even off the pitch, living on my own, was different. Moving away from home helped me grow. I even had to cook my own food sometimes. It wasnt up scratch, but I improved. As a whole, I grew from a boy to a man. - Danny Welbeck, October 2011.
He has matured in the interim years and while he has since been turfed out of Old Trafford, he has landed on his feet at Arsenal - after all, Manchester United arent the ones who can offer him Champions League football this season. He has only bagged a couple of goals in the league, but a European hat-trick against Galatasaray has shown signs of encouragement for the Gunners faithful. With Sunderland badly lacking some impetus up front, they could really do with a player of Welbecks ilk to start banging the goals in for them. Connor Wickham, Jozy Altidore and Steven Fletcher cant hold a candle to the England international - who has bagged 13 goals in 32 caps - and if he keeps on steadily improving, the sky really is the limit for him.
We enjoyed having Danny. He was as good as any young striker and a real privilege to work with, especially at such a young age. He came on well after a slow start and enjoyed having the perfect platform to play regular football. Danny was absolutely terrific and we thank him for that. He did great for us and Sunderland was fantastic for him. - Steve Bruce, November 2011.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
