This is a very confusing situation to say the least - conflicting stories emerged yesterday concerning Danny Welbeck's future at Manchester United. Daniel Taylor of The Guardian reported that the striker has set his sights on a move away, while Mark Lipton at the Mirror is convincing his readers that Welbeck is looking forward to a future at Manchester United - under new boss Louis Van Gaal. The Sun are also reporting that Welbeck is set to stay after opening talks with the club about a new deal.
The Mirror's headline reads:
A pretty transparent stance - and one that completely conflicts that of The Guardians, which reads:
The two articles corroborate on one key issue - Welbeck's pretty uninspiring form under the reign of David Moyes. The Guardian article attributes him being played out of position as a major issue for someone looking to establish themselves in the top flight. Welbeck was frequently employed wide on the left under Moyes' command, despite his craving a more central role.
I’d like to play centrally, I’ve been playing on the left for a while and it’s got to the time when I want to stake a place up front
Moyes who was sacked in April claimed that he had to ask Welbeck to put in extra training - reports that have left Welbeck baffled.
I've grown up at Manchester United and been professional all through my career and I always do extra work.
It's born and bred in me to do extra work after training and maybe he wasn't seeing that extra stuff. I was doing extras in the gym and on the pitch.
Welbeck's positional woes are likely to continue if he stays at United under the new regime: Rooney and Van Persie provide competition for central roles and are unlikely to be pushed aside by the forward, who finished the 2013/14 season with 10 goals from 36 appearances in all competitions. Van Persie finished the year with 18 goals from 28, and Rooney with 19 goals from 40.
Despite the bold headline, The Mirror's article provides a slightly ambiguous stance on the whole affair; citing Welbeck's happiness over the appointing of Louis Van Gaal as reason for an apparent decision to stay at Old Trafford.
I've heard the news obviously and I am happy.
He is a great man, a great manager, he has a great CV, has managed at some big clubs.
Welbeck goes on to say that he is focusing on the World Cup and does not comment on his future at United - suggesting that the link between his comments and the Mirror's bold claims of a happy future under Van Gaal are tenuous at best.
At the moment I just want to concentrate on the World Cup
The Sun have reported that United will offer Welbeck a new deal and that his future is a priority at the club.
Despite the red top reports - The likeliest scenario seems to be a move away from Old Trafford, where Welbeck will seek to emulate fellow England international Daniel Sturridge's career trajectory - establishing himself in a less glamorous side as a first choice central option.
