Danny Welbeck announced his arrival on the Premier League stage with a wonder goal in the 5-0 win over Stoke City, but the level-headed striker has promised to keep his feet firmly on the ground.
Welbeck doesn’t turn 18 until the end of this month, but he has already caused a stir among those in the know with some exciting displays in the Carling Cup this season. But to score on his Premier League debut is the biggest indication yet of the talent he possesses.
“It feels amazing,” he told MUTV after the game. “Scoring in front of the Stretford End is what every young boy from Manchester dreams of. I loved it. I wouldn’t say I’ve dreamt about it, but I’ve thought about it every day of my life ever since I started playing football. There’s nothing better.”
The goal, a shot from 30 yards which flew into the top corner, also shows his limitless confidence in his own ability. “I got the ball on the edge of the centre-circle and I knew Ryan Shawcross was behind me. I played a one-two with Manucho, took a touch and just thought, ‘I’m going to hit it’.
“I was just relieved to see it hit the back of the net. I’m not going to lie, I’ve seen replays of it a few times already!”
But he’s not getting too carried away. “I’m sure the manager will help me keep my feet on the ground but I’m quite level-headed anyway, so I’ll just take it all in my stride. I just want more opportunities. It’s made me hungry for more. Playing with these players in the first team – there’s no better experience. I’m willing to learn and improve as much as I can as a player.”
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Saturday, November 15, 2008
Manchester United Vs. Stoke City Match Report
United’s class shone through with a masterclass of a performance that yielded five goals in the Reds’ biggest win of the season.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice from free-kicks, while Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck chipped in with the other goals. Stoke were well and truly beaten: outplayed and outclassed.
United were without Wayne Rooney, who has been suffering with a chest infection all week, and Rio Ferdinand – a major loss when you consider the aerial threat Stoke pose. No doubt with that in mind, Sir Alex selected height in his team. John O’Shea lined up at right-back alongside Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick in midfield all over 6ft.
It was a good job as Stoke’s play favours the aerially adept. The first five minutes was more like a game of head tennis. But while much of the pre-match talk was devoted to the main weapon in Rory Delap’s armoury, people seemed to have forgotten all about Cristiano Ronaldo’s speciality – the dipping, swerving free-kick.
Five minutes in, Abdoulaye Faye’s foul on Carlos Tevez gave Ronaldo the chance to showcase his talents. The foul was 30 yards from goal in line with the edge of the penalty area, and Ronaldo’s trademark run-up and unique style of striking the ball yielded the desired result: a shot that shifted so wickedly that Thomas Sorensen lost track of its flight and the ball crashed into the roof of the net. It was the Portuguese winger’s 100th United goal, and one to savour.
It took until the 12th minute for Stoke to get a throw-in deep in United’s half. A delay in taking the throw added an almost pantomime feel; Stoke cheering in fevered anticipation and United fans in the Stretford End booing. The embanked touchlines at Old Trafford don’t favour the throw-in expert, but the delivery was still dangerous, flicked on at the front post with Edwin van der Sar clawing it away from goal.
Stoke’s fans were certainly giddy – “stand up if you beat Arsenal” they sang, before endlessly taunting Ronald. But their supporters are enjoying their time in the top flight as much as the team, so it’s difficult to begrudge them –annoying though United fans may have found them – particularly as they’re one of the more vocal away followings to have visited Old Trafford recently.
Ji-sung Park went close for the Reds two minutes before the break. A nice passing move across the edge of the area led to Carrick slipping a ball through to Park. The Korean controlled the ball and turned sharply in one movement, but his shot was too high and went over the bar.
United’s first half performance was steady, if not always penetrative. But just as it looked like the Reds would not add to the scoreline before the break, Carrick spliced open the Stoke defence again, this time with an unstoppable shot past Sorensen. Ronaldo did well out wide and slipped a pass to Carrick, whose powerful left-footed drive found a route through a crowd of yellow shirts into the top corner.
The Reds began the second half with renewed intent. Tevez’s lofted pass played Berbatov almost immediately after the restart. But the Bulgarian front man was eventually crowded out. Minutes later the same combination led to United’s third goal. Berbatov controlled Tevez’s cross before turning and drilling the ball past Sorensen.
The United fans in the old scoreboard end should be credited with one of the chants of the season: “You’ve only come to see your throw-in”, such was the excitement in the away end whenever the ball went out of play.
The constant banter with the Stoke fans created a buzz inside Old Trafford which added to the game as a spectacle. And United continued to plough forward. Ronaldo left Sorensen completed befuddled with another thundering free kick, while Tevez hungrily chased a goal.
Such was United’s comfort that Sir Alex brought on Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson in place of Park and the outstanding Darren Fletcher. Welbeck’s late cameo brought another flourish in a game of goals to savour. Picking up the ball 35 yards from goal, the 17-year-old striker pressed forward before unleashing a screamer of a shot into the top corner – talk about making your mark, it was arguably the pick of the bunch.
Stoke may have learned many lessons on the biggest Premier League stage, one their fans may like to remember, mocking Ronaldo usually only leads to one outcome, and he delivered it with a second free-kick, this time from 20 yards and arrowed into the bottom corner.
Stoke are clearly an effective team – their results against Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool this season illustrate that point – but as long as United matched their endeavour, the Reds’ sheer quality was bound to win through, which it did in all its glory.
Team Line-ups
United: Van der Sar; O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Ronaldo, Fletcher (Gibson 63), Carrick, Park (Welbeck 63); Tevez (Manucho 75), Berbatov.
Subs not used: Foster, Anderson, Nani, Rafael.
Booked: Evra
Stoke City: Sorensen; Griffin (Wilkinson 78), Shawcross Ab.Faye, Higgingbothom; Olofinjana (Cresswell 32), Diao, Am.Faye, Delap; Sidibe, Fuller (Kitson 69).
Subs not used: Simonsen, Cort, Whelan, Tonge.
Booked: Fuller, Delap
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Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice from free-kicks, while Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck chipped in with the other goals. Stoke were well and truly beaten: outplayed and outclassed.
United were without Wayne Rooney, who has been suffering with a chest infection all week, and Rio Ferdinand – a major loss when you consider the aerial threat Stoke pose. No doubt with that in mind, Sir Alex selected height in his team. John O’Shea lined up at right-back alongside Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick in midfield all over 6ft.
It was a good job as Stoke’s play favours the aerially adept. The first five minutes was more like a game of head tennis. But while much of the pre-match talk was devoted to the main weapon in Rory Delap’s armoury, people seemed to have forgotten all about Cristiano Ronaldo’s speciality – the dipping, swerving free-kick.
Five minutes in, Abdoulaye Faye’s foul on Carlos Tevez gave Ronaldo the chance to showcase his talents. The foul was 30 yards from goal in line with the edge of the penalty area, and Ronaldo’s trademark run-up and unique style of striking the ball yielded the desired result: a shot that shifted so wickedly that Thomas Sorensen lost track of its flight and the ball crashed into the roof of the net. It was the Portuguese winger’s 100th United goal, and one to savour.
It took until the 12th minute for Stoke to get a throw-in deep in United’s half. A delay in taking the throw added an almost pantomime feel; Stoke cheering in fevered anticipation and United fans in the Stretford End booing. The embanked touchlines at Old Trafford don’t favour the throw-in expert, but the delivery was still dangerous, flicked on at the front post with Edwin van der Sar clawing it away from goal.
Stoke’s fans were certainly giddy – “stand up if you beat Arsenal” they sang, before endlessly taunting Ronald. But their supporters are enjoying their time in the top flight as much as the team, so it’s difficult to begrudge them –annoying though United fans may have found them – particularly as they’re one of the more vocal away followings to have visited Old Trafford recently.
Ji-sung Park went close for the Reds two minutes before the break. A nice passing move across the edge of the area led to Carrick slipping a ball through to Park. The Korean controlled the ball and turned sharply in one movement, but his shot was too high and went over the bar.
United’s first half performance was steady, if not always penetrative. But just as it looked like the Reds would not add to the scoreline before the break, Carrick spliced open the Stoke defence again, this time with an unstoppable shot past Sorensen. Ronaldo did well out wide and slipped a pass to Carrick, whose powerful left-footed drive found a route through a crowd of yellow shirts into the top corner.
The Reds began the second half with renewed intent. Tevez’s lofted pass played Berbatov almost immediately after the restart. But the Bulgarian front man was eventually crowded out. Minutes later the same combination led to United’s third goal. Berbatov controlled Tevez’s cross before turning and drilling the ball past Sorensen.
The United fans in the old scoreboard end should be credited with one of the chants of the season: “You’ve only come to see your throw-in”, such was the excitement in the away end whenever the ball went out of play.
The constant banter with the Stoke fans created a buzz inside Old Trafford which added to the game as a spectacle. And United continued to plough forward. Ronaldo left Sorensen completed befuddled with another thundering free kick, while Tevez hungrily chased a goal.
Such was United’s comfort that Sir Alex brought on Danny Welbeck and Darron Gibson in place of Park and the outstanding Darren Fletcher. Welbeck’s late cameo brought another flourish in a game of goals to savour. Picking up the ball 35 yards from goal, the 17-year-old striker pressed forward before unleashing a screamer of a shot into the top corner – talk about making your mark, it was arguably the pick of the bunch.
Stoke may have learned many lessons on the biggest Premier League stage, one their fans may like to remember, mocking Ronaldo usually only leads to one outcome, and he delivered it with a second free-kick, this time from 20 yards and arrowed into the bottom corner.
Stoke are clearly an effective team – their results against Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool this season illustrate that point – but as long as United matched their endeavour, the Reds’ sheer quality was bound to win through, which it did in all its glory.
Team Line-ups
United: Van der Sar; O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Ronaldo, Fletcher (Gibson 63), Carrick, Park (Welbeck 63); Tevez (Manucho 75), Berbatov.
Subs not used: Foster, Anderson, Nani, Rafael.
Booked: Evra
Stoke City: Sorensen; Griffin (Wilkinson 78), Shawcross Ab.Faye, Higgingbothom; Olofinjana (Cresswell 32), Diao, Am.Faye, Delap; Sidibe, Fuller (Kitson 69).
Subs not used: Simonsen, Cort, Whelan, Tonge.
Booked: Fuller, Delap
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Manchester United Vs. Stoke City Highlights Video Clip
Manchester United [5 - 0] Stoke City
4' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
45' [2 - 0] M. Carrick
49' [3 - 0] D. Berbatov
84' [4 - 0] D. Welbeck
89' [5 - 0] C. Ronaldo
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4' [1 - 0] C. Ronaldo
45' [2 - 0] M. Carrick
49' [3 - 0] D. Berbatov
84' [4 - 0] D. Welbeck
89' [5 - 0] C. Ronaldo
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Thursday, November 13, 2008
Evans rated by Rio
Rio Ferdinand has tipped fellow United centre-back Jonny Evans as a future international captain.
Evans' appearances for Northern Ireland are already in double figures, even though he's played just seven times for the Reds at senior level - including Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Queens Park Rangers.
However, his club statistics are bolstered by his time on loan at Sunderland, whose manager Roy Keane attempted to lure Evans to the north east on a permanent deal in the summer. The reason it didn't happen was Sir Alex Ferguson's determination not to lose a player whose career he believes is “absolutely guaranteed”.
Now Ferdinand, a veteran of almost 300 United appearances, has echoed his manager’s sentiments.
“Jonny is a top, top player,” said Rio. “A few managers wanted to buy him in the summer, so that tells you what a good prospect he is.
“At Sunderland last season he was probably one of their better players. He’s good with both feet, he’s playing for Northern Ireland and he’ll probably be their captain in the near future.
“You can see why the manager fought so hard to keep him, and to make sure Jonny realises his future is here at Old Trafford. He’ll have a major part to play in the coming years.”
A decade ago, Rio was a promising defender coming through the ranks at West Ham United. He knows all too well the frustrations young players can face when breaking into the first team.
“You’re impatient and you just want to play football,” he said.
“When I was a kid I was behind the likes of Slaven Bilic, Alvin Martin and Marc Rieper, but I wanted to play every game. Jonny will be thinking the same.
“No matter who’s in front of you, no matter how good they are, you just want to play football.
“The manager will just make sure Jonny trains hard and takes the best bits from all the players he works with and brings it to his own game.
“He’s looked assured each time he’s been called upon this season and I’m sure that will continue.”
Read more...
Evans' appearances for Northern Ireland are already in double figures, even though he's played just seven times for the Reds at senior level - including Tuesday's Carling Cup win over Queens Park Rangers.
However, his club statistics are bolstered by his time on loan at Sunderland, whose manager Roy Keane attempted to lure Evans to the north east on a permanent deal in the summer. The reason it didn't happen was Sir Alex Ferguson's determination not to lose a player whose career he believes is “absolutely guaranteed”.
Now Ferdinand, a veteran of almost 300 United appearances, has echoed his manager’s sentiments.
“Jonny is a top, top player,” said Rio. “A few managers wanted to buy him in the summer, so that tells you what a good prospect he is.
“At Sunderland last season he was probably one of their better players. He’s good with both feet, he’s playing for Northern Ireland and he’ll probably be their captain in the near future.
“You can see why the manager fought so hard to keep him, and to make sure Jonny realises his future is here at Old Trafford. He’ll have a major part to play in the coming years.”
A decade ago, Rio was a promising defender coming through the ranks at West Ham United. He knows all too well the frustrations young players can face when breaking into the first team.
“You’re impatient and you just want to play football,” he said.
“When I was a kid I was behind the likes of Slaven Bilic, Alvin Martin and Marc Rieper, but I wanted to play every game. Jonny will be thinking the same.
“No matter who’s in front of you, no matter how good they are, you just want to play football.
“The manager will just make sure Jonny trains hard and takes the best bits from all the players he works with and brings it to his own game.
“He’s looked assured each time he’s been called upon this season and I’m sure that will continue.”
Read more...
Scholes makes City return bid
Paul Scholes could make a sensational return in the Manchester derby. The midfield ace has surprised everyone with his fast recovery from the knee ligament injury he picked up last month. Yesterday, he was on the training ground and is expected to resume full training in 10 days, leaving him with a week to prepare for the away clash with City on November 30. A United insider said: “Paul was spraying 40 yard passes around as if he had never been away. You would not believe he suffered an injury just six weeks ago. He could play in the derby — it’s just a question of what the boss wants to do.”
Staff writer, The Sun Read more...
Staff writer, The Sun Read more...
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