Carrick backs Welbeck to feature

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United team-mate Danny Welbeck will still feature prominently, despite the arrival of Robin Van Persie.

With Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez all competing for places, playing time is likely to be more limited for Welbeck, who impressed last term by scoring nine league goals.

However, Carrick has insisted Welbeck’s versatility will provide him with ample opportunities.

“We’ve got five options up front, really, and Danny has played in different positions,” Carrick said.

“He’s also played out wide and done fine. But I think he’ll play more than his fair share of games up front and score enough goals.”

The fact Welbeck signed a four-year deal with the club indicates he feels his future is firmly at Old Trafford – and playing alongside other great strikers can only aid Welbeck’s game, according to Carrick: “Watching the likes of Robin and Wayne will improve him as the years go by.”

Dutchman Van Persie has had a fantastic start at United, hitting four goals in three games, including a hat-trick to salvage a 3-2 win at promoted Southampton.

Carrick feels Van Persie is a special player to play alongside, and will be a valuable addition to the side.

“To get off the mark like he did at home (volleying a goal against Fulham) with pretty much his first touch of the ball was special,” he said.

“Then his hat-trick was much needed because we were in a tough position. It’s a better start than he could have hoped for and he will be looking to carry it on.

“When the ball came to him for his first goal at Southampton I was so confident it was going to be a goal. To have someone like that in your team is satisfying because you know if you supply him with the right ammunition he will put it away.

“Hopefully Robin has a few more hat-tricks and goals in him for this season.”