Welbeck's starring role

Sir Alex Ferguson isn't surprised in the slightest by Danny Welbeck's emergence as a leading figure in Manchester United's title challenge.

The young striker, whose form has prompted the manager to start him in eight of the Reds' last 10 fixtures, has already netted nine times this season and was selected to lead the line at Liverpool in Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie.

Although Welbeck didn't find the net at Anfield, his haul this season includes strikes against Manchester City, Arsenal (two in two games) and Tottenham, as well as a brace in the Champions League.

Few predicted he'd make such an impact on the Reds' first team this season. After all, he only made his senior debut a little more than three years ago and, having spent last term on loan at Sunderland under Steve Bruce's tutelage, he began the current campaign with just 15 United starts to his name.

Sir Alex maintains he always had high hopes for Welbeck, though, and believes the striker's form during 2011/12 has made