Danny Welbeck revelled in his match-winning strike against Wolves, and admits he is living a dream by being on the fringes of first team football with United.

The Longsight-born striker bagged a superb goal against Mick McCarthy's side to register his first strike of the season, and he is already looking forward to the possibility of playing in the Carling Cup fourth round.

"I'm just like any other normal Manc boy, really," Danny told MUTV. "To be given the chance to play for United is a dream, and I'm always willing to go when asked. I need to carry on training hard and get more first team chances.

"That's all of the young boys' aim. We're just looking forward to the next round now, so just play as many youngsters as possible, Fergie!"

Welbeck's goal was fashioned by a drumskin-tight exchange with experienced goal-getter Michael Owen, and the 18-year-old prodigy was delighted with the link-up.

"Tonight it was great playing with Michael Owen, because Michael Owen's Michael Owen. You can always learn from his movement, it's unbelievable. I just knew he was around the corner and he knew where I was going next. He played it there and I finished it off well."

The evening's only negative aspect came with the early dismissal of Fabio. While Welbeck was relieved that to progress in spite of a numerical disadvantage, he did reserve sympathy for the young Brazilian.

"It looked like he slipped," he said. "He did really well to get back at first, but then he slipped and it was unlucky for him. But I think he'll take it in his stride and become a better player for that.

"I thought we did really well to be fair, being down to 10 men for an hour. We went one upfront so I was playing as a left winger- striker kind of role. I just had to get used to the game, get a few more touches on the ball and then the goal came, so I was pleased with that."

Joshua King felt he acquitted himself well on his first senior outing against Wolves, even if he would have preferred to cap it with a goal.

The 17-year-old striker, rewarded with a call-up after a string of promising displays with the Reserves, looked the part in his 10-minute cameo, and he is hoping for more action over the remainder of the season.

"It's a big step up, obviously, but now I've just got to keep training hard and working hard and I might get a chance in the next Carling Cup game," he told MUTV. "It was a big day for me. I maybe should have scored, but I thought I did well.

"It's been good to play with the Reserves. Last season I was injured most of the time, so this time I've come back and stayed fit. Hopefully I'll stay fit further. I've been with the Reserves quite a bit this season, and I want to keep training hard and continue."

Nerves are inevitable for one of such tender years, but King admitted the presence of fellow Norwegian Magnus Eikrem on the subsitutes' bench proved helpful.

"It was quite nervy at the start, like when I found out yesterday I got a squad number and that I might be in the squad," he said. "But as soon as I went on the pitch the nerves flew away and I got on with it.

"Me and Magnus have got each other - it's a bit of help maybe. We support each other and he supported me when we knew I was going to get on. He told me to do well and it was good to have him with me."

United are spoilt for choice when it comes to young strikers. Sir Alex Ferguson blooded another of his promising attacking talents, Joshua King, against Wolves on Wednesday and the Norwegian teenager showed flashes of his undoubted potential.

Sir Alex had given starts to Federico Macheda and eventual match-winner Danny Welbeck, both already earmarked to make the grade. But a cameo appearance for 17-year-old King hints at an even greater wealth of talent bubbling under the surface.

“He’s very quick the boy, he’s got a terrific attitude and he’s only 17,” said the boss. “He has a really good future in the game.

“We’re very fortunate at the moment; we’ve got Macheda, Welbeck, King and young John Cofie, who is in our youth team. It’s looking really good for young strikers, and it’s been a long, long time since we’ve had so many strikers coming through at the club.”

Like last year, winning the Carling Cup is a definite target, but it’s also vital as a finishing school for Sir Alex’s up-and-coming starlets.

“It’s a good tournament for young players,” he told MUTV. “They must have this challenge, the experience of playing at Old Trafford in front of 50,000 fans. It was a good crowd for a Wednesday night in the first round of the League Cup.”

The Carling Cup doesn't just benefit the products of United’s youth system who are still at the club, ask Sir Alex was proud to point out: “I was watching the matches on Tuesday night, and quite a few of our former players scored. Chris Eagles, Danny Webber, Jon Macken, Fraizer Campbell - that was really good to see.”

September 24, 2009

SIR Alex Ferguson has vowed to carry on giving youth a chance in the Carling Cup.

After winning the tournament last season with a squad based on youngsters, Ferguson sees no reason why United should abandon that philosophy this term.

Beating Wolves 1-0 at Old Trafford to book a fourth round berth would have been able proof that the strategy is working. The fact Fabio was sent off for a professional foul, leaving United to complete the final hour with only 10 men just emphasised it.

"It does excite me that I can give the young lads a chance in this competition," said Ferguson.

"It is the only thing we can do.

"It is good for them to get the experience of playing at Old Trafford. It is a good breeding ground for young players."

England Under-21 star Daniel Welbeck was the main beneficiary last night, netting a stylish winner midway through the second half after exchanging passes with Michael Owen.

The born and bred Mancunian featured in last year's final, as well as the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Everton and it clearly making a positive impression on the Old Trafford hierarchy.

"It was a fantastic goal. The passing and the finish were top quality," said Ferguson.

"The angle Michael Owen created made it easy for him."

Ferguson is now dreaming of a home tie with Peterborough, which would mean a match-up with son Darren, a former United player.

For Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, it is an extended period of Premier League action, knowing every point is vital in a bid to claw their way to respectability.

"We have been in the Premier League for three months," he said.

"That doesn't make us a Premier League team. We are a football club that has got itself into the Premier League and for most of the time we have competed.

"Manchester United are arguably the best team in Europe. Liverpool have a similar set-up. And Arsenal.

"We are snotty nosed kids coming up from the Championship.

"Is it a case of us coming up here and having our bellies tickled and for them to say "Thanks for coming"?

"I don't like that. But it is part of the learning process."

September 24, 2009

RAFAEL and Fabio da Silva have told Sir Alex Ferguson they can emulate two of Brazil's greatest players in Roberto Carlos and Cafu.

Ferguson long made covetous glances at the legendary full-backs during his time at United - but never managed to bring them to Old Trafford.

But the Da Silva twins are convinced they can be the answer to the left and right of United's defence for years to come.

And the teenagers say their dream is to replicate the success of their countrymen, who won three World Cups and four Champions Leagues between them.

"It was always our ambition to become as good a player as Roberto Carlos - he was our hero," said Fabio. "He and Cafu are the best full-backs there have ever been.

"We watched a lot of football when we were younger - we supported Botafogo, but we always used to be Manchester United whenever we played football games on the computer."

Rafael added: "Whenever I used to blow the candles out on my birthday cake my wish was always to become a footballer.

"We loved playing the game and, as youngsters, we were very strong runners. A guy called Zezinho, who was a coach of a local team, saw us and thought we both had potential."

Former United academy manager, Les Kershaw, spotted the pair playing for Fluminese in a youth tournament in Hong Kong in 2005.

Despite having to wait until they were 18 to get international clearance to make their debuts for United, the pair have made a stunning impact on the Premier League. Rafael, in particular, seized his chance after injuries to Wes Brown and Gary Neville last season, picking up winners' medals in the Club World Cup and Carling Cup.

And he has got the taste for success, eyeing more trophies with United.

"We were very close to winning the Champions League and even though I missed the Carling Cup final through injury, I still feel like a champion because I played in every other game in the competition.

"I hope I can play my part in helping the team win even more trophies this season.

"It's been fantastic to be involved with the first team and I think we both developed our games a lot last season."

Fabio's appearances were limited last season because of a shoulder injury, but this term it has been his brother who has been on the treatment table.

But Fabio - who was the leading scorer in the 2007 Under-17 World Cup - insists he feels no pressure to emulate Rafael.

"I knew I had to perform to my best," he said. "I was really happy that my brother had done so well and played some great football, and I wanted to be able to do the same.

"It spurred me on and I was just pleased to eventually get my chance because being injured had been so frustrating."

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has revealed that he will make his mind up over his future in December.

The 38-year-old is currently on the sidelines nursing a hand injury but admits that the time to call it a day is getting ever closer.

However Van der Sar performed admirably last season as the Red Devils claimed their third straight Premier League crown leaving many to suggest that the shot-stopper could continue for years to come.

With Ben Foster challenging the Dutchman for the number one jersey at Old Trafford, despite a somewhat shaky start to the season, Van der Sar may opt to hang up his gloves while he is still at the top of his game.

"I've said for a few years that it sometimes may be my last season," he told Sportsweek.

"Six months before my contract with Manchester United ended in December 2006, we extended for one year and so far it has been the same every time.

"I wait each season to see how or where I stand, if everyone is happy and if I can get motivated.

"But I know, because I always get older, it is increasingly likely that this will be my last season.

"In December, it will be clear how it goes. By then, I'll have clarity. It is a horrible dilemma.

"On the one hand I do not oversleep, I feel as good as a few years ago."

Manchester United are becoming deeply concerned about Rio Ferdinand’s persistent injury problems, fears shared by England before the World Cup finals next summer.

The centre back has missed 30 of the past 52 matches involving United and England as nagging injuries take their toll on his body. Since April, he has started back-to-back competitive games on only two occasions.

He was an unused substitute last night as United overcame Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 in a third-round Carling Cup tie despite having been reduced to ten men by the first-half dismissal of Fábio Da Silva for a professional foul.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, hinted at their mounting concerns last week when he said that Ferdinand has “one game back and picks up another injury when he really needs games”. The club are increasingly worried that the problems appear to be more frequent and pronounced as the player gets older.

Ferdinand, who turns 31 in November, has been hindered by a succession of calf, thigh and groin injuries over the past nine months, although they appear to be principally an offshoot of a back complaint that requires something close to micro-management.

The issue came to the fore during the Club World Cup in Japan last December, when Ferdinand suffered spasms in his lower back that ruled him out for more than five weeks, and he has rarely been pain-free since.

Ferdinand sees an osteopath three times a week and had a special fitness programme drawn up by United, which often involves him completing a full gym session by 9 o’clock most mornings.

In an interview with The Times in April, Ferdinand conceded that the back injury, in particular, was a growing worry, but said that he was prepared to be saddled with a limp in later life if it meant playing at the highest level for several more years.

“I’m a little bit concerned it might become more of a problem as I get older, but I don’t really like to think about it like that,” he said at the time. “I’m quite good at blocking pain out.”

Ferdinand’s importance to United was underlined by their decision to play him in the derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, even though he was clearly unfit after missing five of the club’s opening seven games with a thigh injury.

United’s concerns are exacerbated by their other first-choice central defender, Nemanja Vidic, having to contend with a number of injuries in the past couple of seasons, while Jonny Evans has had an ankle problem since December and Wes Brown was missing for long periods last season and, more recently, has been sidelined by a thigh complaint.

Ferdinand has missed 23 of United’s past 43 games in all competitions, only one of which he was rested for. He has rarely been absent for long periods, but United’s concern centres on the Ferdinand-Vidic axis, the foundation for success over the past three seasons, being routinely broken up by niggling issues. Similarly, Fabio Capello is anxious about the disruption being caused to his first-choice defensive pairing of Ferdinand and John Terry with the World Cup finals in South Africa less than nine months away.

Ferdinand and Terry, the Chelsea defender, have partnered each other in only two of England’s past nine games, forcing Capello to experiment in the one area of his team that the manager hoped to leave untouched.

Ferguson hopes to have Edwin van der Sar, the goalkeeper, available for the league game at home to Sunderland on Saturday week. The Dutchman has been sidelined since the beginning of last month with a broken finger and bone in his left hand.