Fergie backs Welbeck for Euros

Ferguson had previously claimed the Manchester United star was good enough to be involved in Fabio Capello's 2010 World Cup squad.

But injuries hampered Welbeck's development before the player finally made his England debut in March of last year.

And Ferguson is now in no doubt the 21-year-old forward will make Capello's final cut for this summer's tournament.

"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 started the campaign in fine style but soon found himself on the sidelines with injury before returning to score three goals in his last three games. His manager is not surprised.

Expected

"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 with the youngster largely keeping himself away from the headlines.

"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."

Excited

Ferguson is particularly excited by the current batch of young players and has challenged them to come through as the 1992 group did.

"The team that won the FA Youth Cup last year were almost all local boys and they're all starting to emerge in their own different ways," he said.

"In 1992, that group got into the first team at more or less the same time and managed to stay in it.

"That's the big test for these young players."

Welbeck is leading the way, having edged ahead of Javier Hernandez in the pecking order but Ferguson is excited by all of United's forwards.

"We are quite positive about our strikers because they are all different," added Ferguson.

"In the box, Javier Hernandez is unbelievable. He has had his issues with concussion and two ankle injuries but his game is starting to come now.

"Wayne Rooney has 19 goals and can easily end up around the 30 mark.

"Dimitar Berbatov is the one who is being ignored by everyone but he will always give you something different."