Steve Bruce has made no secret of the fact he would love on loan striker, Danny Welbeck, to remain at Sunderland on a permanent deal. The lad from Longsight has done well in the North East and has obviously benefited with playing week in week out.

However, at United, he would still be fourth in pecking order, which has meant he’s less than certain about his return to United next season. With former reds, Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson, who have established themselves in the first team at Sunderland, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Welbeck would see the appeal in staying.

“I’ve not really thought too much about what I’m going to do, but I’ve really enjoyed my time at Sunderland,” said Welbeck. “It has benefited me massively, just to be around with the big boys week in, week out. I’m delighted with that, but the end of the season will be the time to sit down and think about the future. I’m like anyone else, I want to play every week. Football is my job. I like training hard and then playing in games, but we will just see what happens in the summer.”