Goals will define Welbeck - Moyes

17 December 2013 17:31

Manager David Moyes understands local-boy Danny Welbeck will be judged by his goals output, no matter what his overall value is to Manchester United.

Welbeck scored twice in Sunday's win at Aston Villa, doubling his Premier League tally for the season.

However, those other goals came in the opening-day triumph at Swansea and given he scored just once in the top flight last season, it is little surprise some United fans have been critical of him, despite Welbeck's status as a home-grown Mancunian.

Moyes does accept the England striker's game has a wider dimension, as Sir Alex Ferguson did before him, but admits only one aspect of his game really counts.

"If you are a striker, you know what the name of the game is," said Moyes.

"The name of the game is goals.

"Whether you score all your goals from outside the box or whether you score them from inside, you have to get them."

Welbeck has never shied away from his disappointing scoring return.

However, the 23-year-old has also been quick to point out he has frequently been asked to fill a wide berth, usually on the left, rather than his preferred position as a central striker.

As with United team-mate Shinji Kagawa, Moyes does not view that as a particular problem, pointing out Welbeck is frequently asked to do the same job for England, where his scoring return is a far more impressive eight in 20 caps.

"Danny would say he wants to be a striker but he is very good there," said Moyes.

"He plays more like a wide striker who tries to get into the box rather than a winger and he has a big appetite for work.

"We like Danny a lot."

From the same Longsight district in which Wes Brown was brought up, Welbeck is a link with United and Manchester at a time when only Ryan Giggs remains from the famed 'Class of 92'

And that is not lost on Moyes either.

"Danny ticks a lot of boxes," said the Scot.

"He is an English boy - and a Mancunian. He is one of United's own, whom they brought up through the academy.

"He is really important to this club and he is important to me.

"We want him to do well. We really do."

Source: PA