Q&A: Danny Welbeck

Longsight-born Danny Welbeck is just 17, but he's trained with the first team for nearly a year. And the highly-rated striker, who came on to win a penalty against QPR, told United Review before the game that he's itching for more opportunities…

Your season has been disrupted with injuries so far. How’s your fitness?
I started training recently and I feel OK. I injured my groin in the Carling Cup game against Middlesbrough… after that, I went away with England when I wasn’t fully fit, played the game and tore a groin muscle. It’s annoying because I missed nearly the whole of pre-season with tendonitis. I was dying to get back, then when I did I got the groin injury, so I’ve had to be really patient and now I’m ready to go.

You were among the stars of the show in against Boro in September – what are your memories of the night?
I was just delighted to make an appearance and play in front of so many people. Being a Manchester boy, growing up in Longsight, playing for United is just a dream. I only found out I was playing just before the game. I thought there was a chance I might start, and then the manager named the team, it hit me straight away. It focused me – and everyone was saying to keep my head.

You come across as a player who isn’t easily flustered – were there any nerves before or during the game?
[Smiles] I wouldn’t say if there were. Afterwards I was just hungry for more. If that’s nervous, I want more nervous times!

Having trained with the first team for a few months now, do you feel part of the squad?
When I first joined up with the first team I was a little bit star-struck, but now I talk to them all and have banter with them – I tell them to “bring it”! There’s