Sir Alex Ferguson has told Danny Welbeck missing out on last season's Premier League title will be the making of him.
United boss says title loss will make youngsters stronger
Sir Alex Ferguson has told Danny Welbeck the devastation of last season's Barclays Premier League title disappointment will be the making of him.
On the way back from Sunderland, after United had the title snatched from their grasp by Sergio Aguero's injury-time winner, Ferguson took a walk on the team bus.
He singled out the youngsters in his squad, Welbeck included, and told them never to forget what had just happened.
"On the last day of the season, when we were travelling home from Sunderland he went round the coach, spoke to a few of the youngsters and said 'you will never forget this, this will win you titles. This will make you into men and be the best you can be'," said Welbeck
"When he says something like that, you take note of it. I will never forget that day."
The misery should provide additional motivation for the Red Devils, who begin their campaign at Everton on Monday Night Football.
"How the last day of the season finished was epic. It was not good for us but it was for the other side of Manchester," said Welbeck.
"I am a United fan. We lost it to our biggest rivals, so it did hurt that little bit more. It cut deep. It would be massive for us to win it back off them."
Robin van Persie's arrival has livened up the atmosphere around Old Trafford after three years of seeing all the marquee players join City.
Van Persie is expected to start on the bench, although he should be introduced at some stage.
Not that everything is rosy for Ferguson amid reports that Rio Ferdinand is set for an extended period on the sidelines after picking up a training-ground injury.
With Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling also sidelined, Michael Carrick seems likely to partner skipper Nemanja Vidic in central defence on Monday.
