Ferguson intervenes on Welbeck U21 call

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has blocked the selection of Danny Welbeck for England’s Under-21 qualifier against Norway.

Welbeck, 20, was a second-half substitute in the senior team’s 2-2 draw with Montenegro on Friday, playing 14 minutes of the Euro 2012 qualifying match in Podgorica.

Under-21 coach Pearce had contacted Ferguson in the hope of including Welbeck in his squad for Monday’s Group 8 qualifying clash in Norway.

But the United boss was reluctant to release his striker due to the amount of travelling involved between the two matches.

“I spoke to Alex straight after the game (against Montenegro),” Pearce told Sky Sports News.

“I think it was important that we got the game out of the way, the senior game, to find out who contributed within the game.”

“I spoke with Alex and he had concerns about travelling from Montenegro and then getting on planes and coming to Oslo and I quite understood that, to be fair.”

“I had to make the call because we have only got one striker in the squad so we had a decent chat.”

“I thanked him for his help and consideration and we moved on from there and I quite understood his position.”

Pearce had also hoped to select Tottenham defender Kyle Walker but, despite receiving permission from Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, the full-back declined the call-up for personal reasons.

“I spoke with Harry Redknapp on the same evening as well and he gave us his consent to take Kyle,” Pearce said.

“But Kyle’s girlfriend is due to have a baby very, very shortly in the next … week or so and he had concerns about being away from home having been away for a week, and that didn’t happen.”