Danny Welbeck has shown more promise than many of our youngsters for some time, scoring 2 goals in 3 League Cup games this season, having played a total of 24 games for the club in all competitions.

News broke this morning that Preston have signed Welbeck on loan until the end of the season, which is often the practice for young players breaking through. Even David Beckham was sent away on loan to get experience, joining Preston the year before the infamous 95-96 season when our “kids” won the Double.

But is it a good idea for Danny?

For me, Welbeck has shown nothing more than promise and still has a long way to go before we can consider him to be good enough to earn a permanent place in our playing squad. However, you do have to wonder how fair it is for him to be sent away when new signing, Mame Biram Diouf, gets to stay, and presumably, play for United.

Then you have to consider that Sir Alex Ferguson’s son, Darren, has just been given the job of Preston manager. They are currently 17th in the league, just six points away from the relegation zone, and are in need of a goalscorer after scoring just 28 goals in 26 games this season. Only two of the seven clubs below them have scored fewer goals, so Welbeck could really make a difference to their struggling goal difference.

Maybe I am just being cynical but you have to wonder whether manager would be so happy to let Welbeck go if it wasn’t Darren Ferguson who had come knocking. We don’t have too many striking options this season, so whilst getting to play more first team football away from the club will be good for Welbeck, you have to question how good it will be for Manchester United, in the short term at least.

The loan deal could go really well though, with Welbeck gaining vital experience and come back to the club ready to play in the first team. However, whilst I know Ferguson wouldn’t do anything to damage the United for the sake of his son, the move will spark debate over whether the manager accommodating for another club who came looking to loan one of our current brightest prospects.