Sunderland want Welbeck for another year
Published 23:00 04/03/11 By Simon Bird
Steve Bruce will plead with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to let him have loan star Danny Welbeck again next season.
The 19-year-old is in contention to be on the bench at Arsenal today after recovering from an eight-week injury lay-off.
Bruce has joked that he will ply Sir Alex with wine during the summer as he tries to persuade him that Welbeck will benefit from another year on Wearside, where he has been a hit - scoring six league goals in 16 starts.
Sunderland do not think United are willing to strike a permanent deal for the Under-21 striker yet, because he is so highly rated by Ferguson.
"I will see if I can get Sir Alex drunk on a bottle of wine, but I will keep at him about Welbeck. Maybe we can get him for another year, maybe that will be the compromise," said Bruce.
Welbeck returned to United for treatment on his knee injury and is now close to a comeback against his parent club's closest title rivals.
“Funny how he’s back for Arsenal game, isn’t it?!" said Bruce. "I hope he had a miserable time back in Manchester doing his rehab! It was cruel because he was just playing at his peak and had another injury, just when he was fulfilling his potential.
“Welbeck could be involved on Saturday. We also have a reserve game here against West Ham on Tuesday and I want Welbeck and Fraiser Campbell [another long-term injury absentee] to play in that.”
