18-year-old Danny Welbeck's ascension into Manchester United's first team squad has come at a break neck speed normally reserved for a very gifted few. After taking the youth and reserve levels by storm he now stands on the verge of a possible breakthrough season following his steady start to first team football.

Sir Alex Ferguson recently informed Fabio Capello that Welbeck will be in his squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

"Danny’s a certainty to make it at the highest level. I’ve told Fabio Capello the boy will be in his World Cup squad next year”

After bold predictions such as this it is certain Sir Alex plans to give him plenty of playing time this season. With Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov in his way Welbeck may be getting a surprise opportunity on Manchester United’s left wing and if he’s successful a chance, like many before him, to solve England’s age old problem position.

The Carling and FA Cup will again be an important training ground but opportunities in the Premier League will provide the real barometer for Welbeck’s top flight credentials.

His touch, pace, vision, bravery and a venomously accurate shot have allowed him to hold his own despite the fact his body is still far from that of a Premiership footballer. Towards the end of last season Ferguson had this to say about him.

"He's going to be a big lad, his height is about 6'1" now but the prediction is he’ll be about 6'3". He's yet to carry conformation in his thighs so he's still quite gangly but he is brave enough to carry that. When he completes his growing he'll really be something. Danny is a terrific down to earth boy and I would have liked to have given him more chances by now, but at this stage of the season all our results are vital”

Yet despite all this potential Welbeck’s progression means more than just another player in Manchester United's armoury. The crowd delirium after Fredrico Macheda's spectacular, perhaps title winning, goal against Aston Villa last season was matched by Welbeck's meaningless goal in a 5-0 win against Stoke for altogether different reasons.

"For someone coming from Manchester, to come on and score in front of the Stretford End is something every young boy would dream of. I’ve thought about it ever since I started playing football and I can't imagine any better feeling”

Welbeck comes from Manchester. Having grown up, like Wes Brown, in Longsight an area famed more for murder and gang culture than footballers, the romance of his rags to riches local boy done good story shouldn’t be lost on anybody.

It's an often overlooked piece of trivia that Sir Alex Ferguson holds the auspicious title of being the last and near certain final manager to win a European trophy without the aid of a single foreign player after his 1983 Cup Winners Cup triumph with Aberdeen.

Talk of his high spending history often overshadows the fact that United’s 1999 treble winning side was also built around a core of local home-grown players. Their value has always been understood by Ferguson.

Welbeck's development offers a lifeline of integrity for those who have seen Manchester United's transition from football club to worldwide brand. Another local hero to add to the remnants of Fergie’s fledglings at a club now known more for the millions it spends rather than the players it produces.

Welbeck joins a long list of local players to be given a chance since the class of '92. All with the exception of Wes Brown have come up wanting. Being the best young player in Manchester or even England no longer holds the weight it once did.

Manchester United's first team and academy now comprise of the best players from around the world. To earn your place in either you have to prove yourself comfortable in their presence. Welbeck so far has done himself proud. Every opportunity has been taken. He played a central part in last year's Carling Cup win and FA cup run. Rarely losing possession and making sure that shots hit the target.

This season we will find out if Welbeck is really a Manchester United player or just another young boy from the Academy destined for lesser things.

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