Carrick is now certain Welbeck will make it to the top

The Manchester United striker netted twice in last Friday’s 5-0 World Cup qualifier win over San Marino at Wembley.

Following on from his match-changing introduction from the bench against Ukraine last month, Welbeck’s double against the minnows means he is likely to lead the attack once again tomorrow night in Poland.

The trip to Warsaw is comfortably the toughest assignment yet for England on the road to Brazil 2014 and Carrick believes his Old Trafford team-mate is ideally suited to take on the challenge posed by the Poles.

He said: “I am a massive fan (of Welbeck). I am probably a bit biased because of the United connection.

“But ever since I have seen him I have been a huge fan and I expected big things of him. He has had a terrific couple of years now.

“People were looking at him when we signed Robin van Persie saying, ‘Where is his position, where is he going to fit in?’

“But he has already shown he is still a major part of it and he was terrific again in the win over San Marino.”

Welbeck’s first goal in Friday’s 5-0 win came via a delightful back-heeled finish after he had been picked out by a drilled cross from former Leeds United winger Aaron Lennon.

The strike, which he followed in the second half with a more routine finish from close range, was reminiscent of the goal he scored in England’s 3-2 victory over Sweden at Euro 2012.

Carrick added: “Danny is talented. He can create and score goals. He can play different positions – he can play wide, he can play up top and he is a real talent.

“He is modest, too. Which is what you would expect for someone who has come through the ranks at United.

“The manager sets standards for the young lads and Danny doesn’t get carried away and his two goals against San Marino won’t change him at all.

“He will get back and start working hard again, and that is what he does best. That is one of his biggest assets.

“At Manchester United, we have got so much strength. But Danny has been terrific. If he keeps performing like that, he is only going to get better.”

Welbeck’s growing influence for England was illustrated in the qualifier at home to Ukraine.

Brought on just after the hour mark with the hosts 1-0 down and labouring in their attempts to get back into the contest, the United striker brought some much needed urgency to the Three Lions frontline.

It was, therefore, no coincidence that when the equaliser came, it did so via a penalty awarded for a handball by Yevhen Khacheridi that kept out a shot from Welbeck.

Providing he is retained in the starting line-up tomorrow, the 21-year-old will need to match the impressive standard of his display against Ukraine as England head East for their toughest test yet of the current campaign.

On the final qualifier of 2012, Carrick said: “It is going to be a very different game on Tuesday in Poland. That is without a doubt.

“They are a much better team and it will be much bigger test and we will have to be near our best to get a result over there.”

Steven Gerrard will return to the side after sitting out the San Marino win through suspension following his red card against Ukraine.

The Liverpool midfielder will resume his role as captain after Wayne Rooney stood in on Friday night in the absence of not only Gerrard but also the injured Frank Lampard.

Rooney marked leading the side out at Wembley for the first time with two goals to take his international tally to 31.

In the process, he moved up to fifth in the all-time Three Lions rankings. At the age of just 26, Rooney has to have a chance of challenging Bobby Charlton’s record total of 49 goals.

The same, however, was not so long ago said about Michael Owen so Carrick is understandably not willing to pile any further pressure on his United team-mate.

Asked about the chances of Rooney eclipsing Charlton, the midfielder said: “It would be easy for me to say that he can.

“But it is not easy to score all those goals. I hope he does, though. We will have to wait and see, but he has got every chance.

“We know each other and play with each other every day but to be honest it is easy to fit in around the team whoever plays.

“We have got competition. It is not just the players from United, all the players are good enough.”

On Rooney’s captaincy, Carrick added: “He seemed to enjoy it.

“Was he any different as captain? No, he was much the same. He didn’t do anything different to what he normally does.

“You wouldn’t expect him to change, that is what he does best. Same as Stevie (Gerrard), they play by setting an example on the pitch and that is what he did tonight.”

For his part, Welbeck is relishing playing in tandem with Rooney for England as he set his sights on them finishing top of their World Cup qualification group.

Welbeck said: “I’m used to playing with Wazza up front at United and am really relishing the chance to play with him for England.

“Once we get into positions in and around the box, we know different styles of combinations to play.

“Now we’re all really looking forward to the Poland game. It’s going to be difficult but once we get on the pitch, we’re going to show our stuff and show everybody what we can do.

“We are top of the group now. That’s where we want to be, that’s the main aim, and that’s where we want to finish as well.”

Welbeck was also impressed with the way Rooney adapted to the captaincy.

He said: “As a captain, he’s good. He’s always talking to you, letting you know what you’re doing right, what you’re doing wrong.

“He’s like that when he’s not got the armband as well so it makes no difference really.”

Welbeck insists England can be satisfied with their performance against San Marino.

He said: “It was a game of patience. They came to Wembley and they camped more or less their whole team behind the ball so it’s obviously going to be difficult to break them down.

“I think, at times, we could have done a bit better. But they played their hearts out and I think we did well in the end to get five goals.”