Sunderland do not have any issues with regard to losing Danny Welbeck according to their manager. Welbeck was a hit during his loan stay with the Black Cats and, while boss Steve Bruce publicly admitted that there was no chance of a permanent move for the England Under-21 star, he privately held out hopes of another loan next season.

But those hopes were dashed this week as, during discussions between the clubs over a potential £12m triple move for Darron Gibson, John O’Shea and Wes Brown, the Red Devils made it clear that Welbeck will be a part of their first-team squad next season.

Bruce will monitor developments at Old Trafford over the summer in the hope that further signings might change United’s stance over Welbeck. But for now he will turn his attentions to other attacking options, with talks having already started with Korean striker Ji Dong-Won, while Spurs’ Peter Crouch, Liverpool’s David N’Gog and Ipswich Town’s Connor Wickham are also in his sights.