Young England striker has scored four in four, including the winner off the bench to overcome absence of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie against Norwich
David Moyes is challenging Danny Welbeck to score 20 goals this season and prove he can be a prolific striker.
The England international only scored one Premier League goal for the champions last season. But he now has four in United’s last four top-flight games – all of which they have won. His brilliant form has helped to rekindle the champions’ title hopes.
He came off the bench for the second half of Saturday’s win over Norwich at Carrow Road to turn the game.
Welbeck made up for the absence of injured Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie.
Now boss Moyes is urging the 23-year-old to continue scoring after his seventh goal of the season saw off the Canaries.
Moyes said: “With the second half of the season to go, he should be certainly looking to score 20 goals. We need him to do that because when you don’t have Wayne and Robin then you need people to step up to the mark.
“In quite a few of the games recently he has done that for us. It is important and we have said to him we are trying to keep his finishing up. I think he can keep his efforts up, get his levels up even better.
“I think Danny has responded. He’s saying, ‘Hey, this is quite good, I’m beginning to score goals and getting recognised for that as well’.
Welbeck’s record with England is actually better than for United with eight goals in 20 games. Moyes insists he can compete equally with both Rooney and Van Persie for a club start, even when the star duo return.
“I think so,” replied the Scot when quizzed about Welbeck’s place in the pecking order. “But I don’t think at Manchester United you have only two players to do the jobs. You’ve got to have more.
“I see it more as a squad rather than any one. Chicharito, who is part of that, is a great goal-scorer too.”
Norwich had more chances than United but were foiled three times in the first half by David De Gea.
Welbeck capitalised when Ryan Bennett’s attempted clearance fell to him in the 57th minute and he coolly rounded John Ruddy to score.
He said: “There were a couple of ricochets and thankfully the ball fell for me. I knew once I was one-on-one with the keeper, I was going to score.
“It was a very important win. Getting the victory without putting in our best performance is a good sign for us.