United Youngster Delighted With Transfers

Danny Welbeck says he couldn't be happier with the prospect of playing alongside Robin van Persie, with the striker looking forward to the increased competition at Manchester United for an up-front spot.

Last season was particularly successful for Welbeck, with the striker returning from a loan spell at Sunderland to challenge the likes of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez for a starting spot at Old Trafford.

And after United confirmed that van Persie would be joining the squad for their opening match against Everton - in a massive coup for Sir Alex Ferguson believed to be worth over £70 million - Welbeck says he's looking forward to playing alongside another one of the Premier League's best.

"He's a player with great ability and a world-class striker," he told the United website.

"He can score goals and create goals as well. They're the type of players who win you titles.

"It's always good to have competition - you never sit back at United where you always want to win every single game. Hopefully we'll sign him."

Yesterday Ferguson compared the current United strikers, which include Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and now van Persie, to his 1999 treble winning side.

And while Welbeck hadn't heard the comparison before, he believes that Ferguson will be faced with some selection issues as the season kicks off.

"was a massive United fan then [in 1999]," he explained. "I watched that whole season all the way through, topped off by the Champions League final and the celebrations. Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer... that was a great strike force.

"We've got a good variety of strikers at the club again now, capable of scoring goals in the Premier League and all of the competitions. We've also got Dimitar Berbatov, Kiko Macheda and Will Keane, who unfortunately got injured at the back end of last season. That was unlucky for him as We thought this season might be his chance to make his first-team breakthrough.

"With all these strikers we've got at the club it's a good problem for the manager to have."