Ferguson backs Welbeck for Euro squad

Two years ago, Ferguson claimed Welbeck was good enough to force his way into the Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

A series of niggling injuries prevented the then teenager from developing as quickly as his manager had forecast.

Welbeck finally made his England debut last March and has subsequently made substitute appearances against both Montenegro and Spain.

And Ferguson is in no doubt the 21-year-old will make Capello's final cut for this summer's Finals in Poland and Ukraine.

"I think he will be (in the squad)," said the United boss. "He is developing into a very strong athlete and when he gets moving, he is really quick.

"He was always a decent goalscorer but when he plays regularly for us he has been getting a goal a game."

Welbeck was part of the new wave of Red Devils that took the early weeks of the campaign by storm.

However, after a month on the sidelines with a muscle injury, Welbeck has hit a rich vein of form, scoring four times on his last six appearances and taking his tally to three in three games with his late winner at Arsenal last week.

"We expected him to do well this year," said Ferguson. "We did the right thing sending Danny to Sunderland last season.

"The issue with him now is the physical side. When he was 16 he had problems with his knees because he was growing, then he had some thigh problems.

"It was nothing serious, just a matter of waiting for him to develop into a man, which we are seeing the signs of now. He has a great physique but there is still more to come."

One area of Welbeck's make-up that does not need much improvement is his attitude.

"He has a good attitude, although he should have, he's a young player with an opportunity at Manchester United," said Ferguson.

"That's one of the reasons you pick these players, because they show their temperament as they come through the youth programmes and the reserves.

"I am always confident about their temperament, their attitude to the game and their enthusiasm to play.

"In terms of judging young players, I don't think we've ever failed in that respect."

As a boyhood United fan, and a close friend of Wes Brown, who also grew up in the Longsight area of the city, Welbeck was always likely to gravitate to the Red Devils.

It maintains a tradition that goes back decades, and came to fruition most notably with the 'Class of 92' which provided a core of locally-born players for both United and England.

Now, Ferguson feels others are emerging from the side that won last year's FA Youth Cup.