Welbeck welcomes striker competition

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck said he is unconcerned by the arrival of competition in the forwards department at Old Trafford.

Reigning PFA player of the year and last season’s Premier League top goalscorer Robin van Persie joined from Arsenal, along with attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa from German champions Borussia Dortmund.

And although Sir Alex Ferguson allowed Dimitar Berbatov to leave Old Trafford for Fulham on transfer deadline day, the competition at the club remains fierce, with Welbeck, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez all vying for a place in the starting XI.

Welbeck enjoyed a breakthrough season for the Red Devils last campaign as he scored 14 goals and established himself as an England regular.

But despite that impressive debut season for United, Ferguson decided to dip into the transfer market and add a new striker, and Welbeck welcomes the addition to the club’s attack.

“It is a really healthy competition,” Welbeck told Sky Sports.

“We have a wide variety of strikers to choose from and that creates a good selection problem for the manager. It will have a good effect on the team.”

Welbeck has played a part in both of United’s games this season, starting in the surprise 1-0 defeat at Everton, and coming on as a substitute in the 3-2 home win over Fulham – however he is yet to complete 90 minutes.

He added: “I have had a couple of games. I am looking forward to pushing on now and getting 90 minutes under my belt.

“It takes a while to get your fitness up.”