Welbeck reveals City snub

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has revealed that he was rejected by Manchester City as a junior.

However, the then eight-year-old Welbeck was not told he had been rejected and was soon recruited by cross-town rivals Manchester United.

The striker told The Mail on Sunday: “My dad didn’t tell me at the time, it was just before Christmas and he didn’t want to break any bad news.

“It wouldn’t have mattered though. I am one of those people that if you are going to say something, just say it. I take it on the chin.

“Straight after Christmas I played in a tournament for my local side, Fletcher Moss, and that’s where United picked me up. I went for a trial and have never looked back since. I was always a Red anyway.”

United face Fulham on Monday and could go three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a win. However, Welbeck does not believe his team are guaranteed a victory despite thumping Martin Jol’s side 5-0 earlier in the season.

“We have been in the situation a few times this season where teams just want to sit back at Old Trafford and try and get us on the counter-attack,” he said.

“I think you have to keep playing your normal game, be patient and probe the openings by knocking the ball around.

“You can’t get too impatient, that is what they want. You can’t let them get into your head.”