Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck puts Norwich City before Real Madrid
Manchester United's Danny Welbeck is focused on taking on Norwich City on Saturday and not Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League tie next week.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
10:02 AM
Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck is putting their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid to the back of his mind as they prepare for the Premier League visit of Norwich City, insisting: “The next game is always the most important.”
United play the first of four successive home games when they take on the Canaries at Old Trafford on Saturday (3pm), with the second leg of their European tie at home to Real coming up on Tuesday night.
But England international Welbeck, who scored in the 1-1 draw in the first leg in Madrid, said it was a case of first things first.
The immediate target will be to beat Norwich and restore United’s Premier League lead to 15 points, with second-placed Manchester City not in action until Monday night, when they visit Aston Villa.
“The manager and coaching staff keep reiterating the fact that the next game is the most important,” said Welbeck.
“I think the whole squad has got that into their heads and we’ve all got the same mentality of going into the next game and needing to win to gain momentum.
“Once we come to the Real Madrid game, we’ll see what happens. It will be good not to have to travel anywhere for the next four matches in a row and we can try to get wins in every single game.
“All credit to the squad as well because every single player is fighting for their place. They all want to get on the pitch to do the best they can in every competition this year. We are still in three competitions and yet we’re coming to the end of the season. It’s good for the whole squad.”
The 22-year-old Welbeck replaced Robin van Persie as a substitute in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers and could keep his place if the Dutchman fails to recover from the hip injury he suffered falling into a camera pit.
Welbeck told ManUtd.com and MUTV he was still excited after his goal against Real – only his second of the season for United.
“It was a great feeling to get a goal at the Bernabeu, especially because of the whole occasion with all our fans travelling over and with it being such a big game.
“It was a big goal - probably the biggest goal I’ve scored. It’s something you strive for since being a little kid. Playing for Manchester United in one of the biggest games made me feel proud and it gives you motivation to strive for more. I’d like to get more goals but it’s more difficult to score when playing out wide. You need to be more creative as well but scoring is part of my game I’d like to resurrect. If I can add goals from playing on the wing then it’s going to be beneficial to the whole team.”
Veteran Ryan Giggs, who scored his first goal for United against Norwich back in 1991, is poised for the 1,000th senior appearance of his career after 931 outings for United, 64 caps for Wales and four for Team GB in the Olympics.
United follow Norwich and Real Madrid with a home FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on March 10 and the Barclays Premier League visit of Reading six days later.
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10 comments
I've read reports that Rooney will play in a bid to improve his fitness. Either way they will have a top side out even with reserves but I remain hopeful of a point. I'll stick neck out on entertaining 2-2, goals from Pilks and Holt. Probably wide off the mark but isn't it great to go into a v tough game with cause for optimism. Weird thing is, the more optimistic I hear people being, the more guarded I become...self preservation maybe?
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Herr Fleck
Thursday, February 28, 2013
I have to agree with Dubai Canary, as i can't see them playing a full strength side due to the Champions League game just 3 days after, and with Man Utd having i think a 15pts gap between Man City, so the likes of Rooney, Nani etc etc i could see being part of the team but on the bench, as i think the champions League is more important to them.
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H57
Thursday, February 28, 2013
With what Man Utd have coming up, they should be focusing on senior team preservation ! I wouldn't be surprised if they leave their big names out to keep them fresh for Real Madrid. Under the cirmcumstances, we couldn't be playing United away at a better time really. Hope the boys play a blinder and get a result !!
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Dubai Canary
Thursday, February 28, 2013
I see that Stoke's Robert Huth has been banned for 3 matches following review of TV footage of him aiming an elbow at Phillipe Sendros on Saturday. TP said that he did not think that Huth would be pleased about it. Well there's a surprise.
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Swiss Canary
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Danny ... we don't believe you!
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ScotCan
Thursday, February 28, 2013
I did not send that twice!!!
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Trick is to let our gentle Bradley soften him up in midfield, Swiss? Like he did Marauding Felony? I would so love for us to get a point (or 3) from this game. Keep cairm, keep cairm....
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Trick is to let our gentle Bradley soften him up in midfield, Swiss? Like he did Marauding Felony? I would so love for us to get a point (or 3) from this game. Keep cairm, keep cairm....
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Danny Welbeck might be keeping his head on Saturday, but will he keep on his feet? The extreme turbulence from a passing moth is usually enough to knock him down in the penalty area.
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Swiss Canary
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Will be a tough game for NCFC, but psychologically they know they can beat Man Utd (reverse of the psychology they have towards Man City). A few rested Man Utd players and NCFC playing with confidence from last weekend's result and who knows?
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richard
Thursday, February 28, 2013