Manchester United youngsters happy with result
Manchester United youngsters Chris Smalling and Danny Welbeck have told the official ManUtd.com website that they were happy with the result against Spain in the U21 European Championship’s opener although Smalling was unhappy at conceding from a set piece.
Both players did their part on Sunday evening as England grabbed a draw against an impressive and well drilled Spanish side with Welbeck scoring a late equaliser in the 88th minute.
Welbeck believed patience played a key attribute in their first match of the tournament.
“We stayed patient, we pressed as a team, and we got out towards the end and got a goal, the key is to get straight behind the ball and travel across the pitch in terms of which way the ball goes, and just keep patient, and when the time is right to go and press them and hit them on the counter attack. In the first half Spain took over in terms of possession but I think in the second half we came back a bit, we got the ball and created a few chances.”
Smalling was also impressed with the U21’s side’s work rate adding.
“That togetherness has been here for the whole campaign. We never gave up and we really got stronger as the game went on. We felt we had the legs when it came to the last 20 minutes and it showed.”
The Manchester United centre-back added.
“It’s disappointing to concede from a set piece. We’ll have a look at that and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
A very interesting part of the game was watching Manchester United target David De Gea in goal for the Spain U21 side. The young stopper did well and it would be unfair to rate him on just that one game but United fans may be asking whether he really could be the new number one for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
