Danny Welbeck Vs. Javier Hernandez

Last season a striker put a center forward in the bench mainly because of the simplicity of the move and the ability to score goals inside the box, but this season is the story in reverse?

Welbeck & Hernandez haven’t played together

When I decided to write this article I was trying to understand why last season Chicharito was first choice to play next to Rooney rather than Berbatov, and everybody agreed, but as for this season Welbeck is a choice before Chicharito.

To answer this question to a point that my huge Mexican pride would be entirely satisfied I had to do a research and determine the difference between a Forward centre and a Striker and what I could remember of both types of players in United’s immediate past.

After both Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez left the club, there was an obvious deficit in United’s attack, which, could be attributed to the void left by these two players, but also to the lack of support for Rooney and the extra work given to him.

Rooney is a Forward centre, he is the type of player that scores goals but loves to get out of position, to move free between the midfield and the box, participate in the construction of the play, get near the wings and exchange positions with them. This can also describe Berbatov’s style as a player.

So when Berbatov and Rooney were paired up together to lead United’s attack something was rather off, there was a huge gap in the box and when that final cross came, there was no one there to score.
Everybody noticed that, and a couple of players filled in that position shortly, Macheda, Diouf, Welbeck, but they were all youngsters not ready to assume a primary role in United’s line up.

I remember discussing with my Dad, United needed a striker, a Ruud Van Nistelrooy. And that’s where Javier Hernandez fit perfectly, he is a natural striker, even if I wouldn´t dare to compare him to Ruud, I see he has that scoring quality, an Inzaghi factor.

But what happened when United played Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez, none of them where strikers, but the striking force was unbelievable. This is mainly due to the movement and sync between the three players, when one of them started the play the other one was ready to finish it, and all the positions were moving; Ronaldo from the right, Ronaldo from the left, Tevez left Tevez centre, Rooney right, left or centre, nobody knew who was going to be where and do what, this includes the other teams defense as well and That was key to the 2008 Champions League title.

So when talent exceeds tactical needs, it really doesn’t mind if you play one striker and a forward center or two wings and a forward center. This is the case with Welbeck.

As much as I hate seeing Chicharito in the bench I can’t help but to be excited when Welbeck plays, keeping all proportions, Valencia- Rooney- Welbeck in the last Bolton game made me remember the good days in the Cristiano Ronaldo era. Movement and versatility in the attack is a concept that was missing in the past games this season and is something that Welbeck in good form with Rooney with a good attitude and Valencia in the right position can give to United.