England striker Welbeck signs new Man United deal

Published Aug. 22, 2012 6:29 a.m. ET

foxsports

England striker Danny Welbeck has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United.

The 21-year-old Welbeck has been at United since he was eight, and has scored 17 goals in 64 appearances since making his first-team debut four years ago.

Manager Alex Ferguson says Welbeck ''has made fantastic progress in the last couple of years ... he has become an important player at international level as well, as the maturity of his performances at the European Championships showed.''

Welbeck faces increasing competition for a spot in the United team since Robin van Persie joined last week, although he started in favor of the former Arsenal forward in Monday's 1-0 loss at Everton in the opening match of the season.