Advertisement

Danny Webber

One Mancunian called Danny who came through the Manchester United youth system paid particular attention to three other Mancunian Dannys who did the same and played in the Arsenal v Leicester game.


I paid careful attention to the three Dannys from Manchester who played in the top of the table game between Arsenal and Leicester on Sunday. They’re three United fans, who, like me, all came through the ranks at Manchester United.

I can remember seeing Daniel Welbeck in the youth teams at United. We’re both from south Manchester and I heard about him locally before I knew him at Carrington. People knew I was at United and would say: ‘Have you seen that Danny Welbeck?’ I soon did and he stood out ahead of other in his age group. He had a strong physique, and played with an ease about him. It was like he was kicking about with mates, yet he still had that drive that said: ‘I don’t want to be beaten.’ He was hard and fearless, yet smiled when he played. He always seemed to be happy apart from in his last few months at United when he was told he could leave. As a player, you soon get vibes if a manager doesn’t like you and you’re not wanted. I’ve been there and it’s not great, but that’s football.

Welbeck was hurt, he’d been at United since eight and developed into a title winner and big game player. I still don’t know why United let him go to Arsenal, where he started off brilliantly before getting seriously injured with knee problems.

I was delighted for him to score the winner against Leicester so soon after coming back. I’ve been out of a team injured for a long time and you feel hopeless and out of the loop, like you’re getting paid and yet not contributing anything.

To come back and contribute in a huge game will give him a big lift. For Arsenal, even though the transfer window is shut, they’ll almost feel they have a new player, someone who is hungry to do well. They have a great chance of winning the title for the first time since 2004, though I actually think Spurs, who are quietly going about their business, will win it if they can keep Harry Kane fit.

Danny Welbeck being fit is a great help for Arsenal and he could be a great help for England, where he’s usually done well.

Danny Drinkwater was on the opposite side to Welbeck on Sunday. He’s another United youngster who came through the ranks and who should’ve stayed there. They played together for United’s Youth team.

Drinkwater is relentless, he’s matured massively as a player and knows he’s no longer a boy. He owns that central midfield area he plays in, he’s consistent and combative with a nice range of passing. He’s the engine of the Leicester team, yet he has the quality of a player who has come through the ranks at United. Against Arsenal, I saw him win balls he had no right to win. That’s a spirit you see throughout the Leicester team, where Jamie Vardy will chase and chase.

Vardy and Riyad Mahrez get much of the credit for Leicester’s rise but another former United Danny, Simpson, has been one of their unsung heroes. He was sent off – probably harshly - at Arsenal and the game changed when he went.

Like myself and Drinkwater, Simpson had to leave United to play first team football. He was very good at Newcastle United and helped them get promotion. He came close to the England squad before moving to QPR.

Like Drinkwater, he’s consistent and fully committed. Like the other Dannys – and me! – he’s a down to earth Mancunian lad who had a brilliant work ethic installed as a young footballer. United by using coaches like Paul McGuinness who left the club last week after 23 years, helped give players a platform to play top level football.

As well as working on your skills, they teach you not to be intimidated by reputations on a football field. Simpson would have had no issue playing against Arsenal’s stars like Mesut Ozil - he was training with better players at Carrington when he was 18.

Simpson does his job as a right back well, defending, covering his centre halves and giving the ball to the players in front who can do more damage with it.

When at United as kids, all of us were coached by McGuinness – son of former manager Wilf. I went to United at ten and Paul worked with me on a Tuesday and Thursday night at The Cliff. He even lent me his boots when I forgot mine.

It’s sad that he’s been allowed to leave and he has left big shoes to fill, though I think that Nicky Butt is a good choice to head up the United academy.

McGuiness was an excellent teacher. He was very demanding of us and squeezed as much out of players as possible. If he felt you could make it as a professional footballer, he’d push you as hard as he could to make that happen. I think 86 players progressed under him to make it as professional footballers. On Sunday, he saw three of them in a top of the table clash. The only shame was that they weren’t still playing for United.