Fraizer Campbell, the young Manchester United striker currently
on loan to Spurs, could be back at Old Trafford in January. And
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has also dismissed suggestions that
another highly-rated young striker, Danny Welbeck, could be loaned
out in the near future.
Ferguson only reluctantly let Campbell join Tottenham on transfer
deadline day, as part of the price United paid to bring Dimitar
Berbatov to Manchester - in addition to a club record £30.75
million fee.
Campbell struggled to make an impact under former Spurs boss Juande
Ramos, but has seized the chance given to him by new manager Harry
Redknapp, scoring three times in two games.
The 21-year-old Yorkshireman - who spent last season on loan to
Hull City, helping the Tigers secure promotion to the Premier
League by contributing 15 goals - was also on target for
England Under-21s in midweek against the Czech Republic at Bramall
Lane.
Redknapp has said he'd like to sign Campbell on a permanent basis,
but Ferguson has revealed a clause in the striker's loan agreement
that would allow United to recall him in January.
"We could pull him back in January," the Scot was quoted as saying
by PA Sport. "We have the option and it is a possibility. The boy
has been fantastic at Spurs.
"He is a good player but we needed to get him first-team
experience, so we agreed to it so the deal with Berbatov went
through."
Meanwhile, Welbeck's future is clearly at United. He will not turn
18 until next week, but has already made an impression on
Ferguson.
Welbeck scored on his Premier League debut against Stoke City last
week, and with Berbatov out for at least two games with the
hamstring injury he sustained in Bulgaria's thrashing by Serbia on
Wednesday, Welbeck will keep his place in the first-team squad for
Saturday's trip to Aston Villa and the Champions League assignment
next week against Villarreal.
Ferguson is keen to retain day-to-day control of Welbeck's
development at this stage of his career, and is likely to combine
occasional appearances in the first team with involvement in next
Thursday's Youth Cup tie with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
That means the prospect of his being loaned out are slim.
"It would be crazy to let Danny go out on loan," confirmed
Ferguson. "He is too young. He is still that gangly lad who has not
fully matured. We can work on his physique knowing we are not
playing him all the time.
"He trains with the first-team squad all the time now but he can
also go and enjoy himself playing for the youth team or the
reserves."
Welbeck, who has represented England's Under-19 side, is also in
demand to play for Ghana.
"His parents are from Ghana so it is not a surprise," said
Ferguson.
"It is the boy's choice, although I would be surprised if he didn't
play for Scotland. That is my big challenge now."