Danny Welbeck’s role from international left-field

Daniel Welbeck (L) celebrates with team-mate Rickie Lambert after he scores their fourth goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group H match between England and Moldova at Wembley Stadium on September 6, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

Perhaps more impressive than Welbeck’s goals at Wembley, however, was another demonstration of the Englishman’s tactical flexibility. The England manager once again deployed Welbeck at inside-left on Friday night, one of a forward triumvirate, with Theo Walcott on the Lions’ right-flank, and Ricky Lambert through the middle. The role has both suited Welbeck and released the forward to score liberally at international level, where he is free to cut in, shoot, or make late runs into danger areas.

The left-flank has rarely benefited Welbeck for his club though – a role Sir Alex Ferguson asked the academy graduate to take for much of last season. The difference, it seems, is Hodgson’s choice to deploy three central midfielders, which has released Welbeck from many of the defensive duties required at Old Trafford.

This success at international level poses an interesting question: could the forward’s good form for England on the left be replicated for United? The thought is, of course, counter-intuitive, and it would take a significant tactical re-jiggling of David Moyes side to play with three in the engine room. But with so little quality available to the Scot in that position Welbeck offers an attractive option.

Through more than a decade at Everton Moyes has honed a system that almost invariably uses split strikers, with a shadow or an attacking midfielder supporting a lone forward; a system Ferguson might instantly recognise. And Moyes has earmarked Wayne Rooney for the shadow role at Old Trafford, although Fellaini scored 11 goals deployed in a similar manner for Everton last season.

One area Moyes has typically differed in his approach to Sir Alex is in a propensity to use central midfielders rather than foward on the wing – Steven Pienaar is a classic case – and another is demanding a high pressing game.

Neither is a trait of Hodgson’s teams though; Welbeck’s inclusion on the left under the veteran coach contradicts the tasks demanded by Moyes. Welbeck played in very close support of Lambert at Wembley in what looked very much like a modern 4-3-3. Nor was United’s man typically asked to cover Ashley Cole at left-back. He will not enjoy that luxury under the Reds’ new management.

First, Welbeck needs to find a permanent role in the United side to match the status he now enjoys with the national team. Yet, in the player’s preferred central role Moyes will deploy Robin van Persie and Rooney barring injury.

On the left Welbeck may enjoy a greater run though; the question for the player is whether the defensive duties demanded by Moyes restricts his goalscoring exploits. History suggests it will.

The left-field tactical choice might be to ape Hodgson’s narrow formation, focus on United’s area of strength in attack, while deprioritizing the club’s traditional whimsy for touchline-hugging wingers. It is, after all, not an area where Moyes enjoys plentiful resources.

Nor can the manager count on the successful deployment of two central midfielders, with talent so thin on the ground despite Fellaini’s arrival.

It’s as unlikely path though, at least at United, leaving Welbeck freer to enjoy the international goalscoring on show against Moldova at Wembley than is probable for his club in the coming season.