Danny Welbeck could turn his back on England in favor of playing for Ghana. The 17-year-old Manchester United starlet made the headlines recently with a spectacular goal in the 5-0 drubbing of Stoke. He has already represented England at youth level but qualifies for Ghana through his parents.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) says it is highly convinced that the Manchester United prodigy will opt for the Black Stars.

Welbeck who turned 18 on November 26 is currently a member of the English U-19 side, but the GFA is sure the youngster will settle on the Black Stars with respect to his national team’s future. However the chances of Welbeck appearing in the African Youth Championship due in Kigali next year look very slim.  

Randy Abbey, spokesperson for GFA told GNA Sports in Accra that his outfit has been in constant touch with the Manchester-born striker to try and lure him to play for the Black Stars.

"The GFA president has been in constant talks with his family, and the response is quite encouraging.”

Welbeck is still eligible to feature for the Black Stars up to his 21st birthday and Abbey believes the decision could come any time soon.

"There is still much to be cleared with respect to the player’s career development and gaining a regular place in the Manchester United first team.

"But we are very sure that when the time is due for the player to make a national team choice, it will be the Black Stars.”

Abbey backed the move for the Manchester United prodigy on the GFA’s policy to get on board eligible players born outside Ghana towards the strengthening of the various national teams.

Birmingham City attacking midfielder, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie was cleared to feature for the Black Stars on the eve of the opening match of the Ghana 2008 Africa Cup of Nations last January.

Owusu-Abeyie, a product of the Arsenal Youth team had previously laced his boot for the Dutch U-19 team.

Welbeck was promoted to the Manchester United first team by Manager, Sir Alex Ferguson during the latter stages of last season after a string of fine performances for the Reserve side of the team.

He has featured twice for English U-19 side this year, and was one of two Ghanaians that featured for England at the last Fifa U-17 World Cup in Korea.

Seth Nana Ofori Twumasi of Chelsea also featured for the English team that exited at the quarter-finals.

Ends