Welbeck and Cleverley could be set for loan
moves
Promising Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck
accepts he is likely to go out on loan to a Barclays Premier League
club in the coming season.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson says both Welbeck and midfielder Tom
Cleverley have good futures but need regular football at another
top-flight team.
Sunderland have already expressed an interest in Welbeck, who
had a spell on loan at Preston last season before suffering a knee
injury, which needed an operation.
He has made a bright start to United's five-match summer tour
which takes in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
The 19-year-old Manchester-born forward scored in the victory
against Celtic in Toronto last week and followed that display by
setting up Gabriel Obertan for the winner in midweek when
Philadelphia Union were beaten.
Welbeck insists he is content to go along with any short-term
career plans Ferguson may have for him.
Welbeck said: "My main aim is to be part of the first team
set-up but I am happy to go on loan if the manager wants me to. I
just want to keep playing games and improving.
"I feel I have improved a lot over the last couple of years in
particular. I have learned so much during that time particularly
the importance of mental strength on and off the pitch. I just want
to keep improving and striving to show everyone what I can do.
"I am really pleased with how the tour has gone for me so far
and I am happy with my performances. I have got to keep going and
continue to get my fitness up."
Welbeck says it is a "privilege" to be around senior outfield
players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov on
tour.
The squad are due to leave Philadelphia for Kansas on Saturday
to prepare for the match against the Wizards on Sunday.
Welbeck added: "It is always good to be away with a few of the
older lads because you pick up so much from them every day.
"You see how they prepare for games, how they rest and how they
train. They are unbelievable - they have this huge determination to
win every single training match, let alone actual games. Just to be
around them is a real privilege."
Even though the Wizards have struggled for consistency in the
MLS Eastern Conference they are expecting a bumper crowd at the
Arrowhead Stadium with ticket sales still climbing after hitting
the 40,000 mark last month.
President Robb Heineman said: "This is one of a series of events
here which are staking claim that Kansas City truly is a soccer
town.
"The things we are trying to do here are not small minded in
nature. I am hopeful we are going to have the largest crowd on the
tour. This match speaks volumes for the momentum we have in Kansas
City."
United then face an MLS All-Stars XI in Houston before ending
the tour in Guadalajara against Chivas after signing striker Javier
Hernandez.