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Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has signed a new four-year contract to keep him at Old Trafford until 2016.

The 21-year-old has scored 17 goals in 64 appearances for United and featured for England at Euro 2012.

"Playing for United is all I've ever wanted to do - it's the club I've supported all my life," he said.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson added: "Danny has been with the club since he was eight and has made fantastic progress in the last couple of years."

Welbeck made his United debut against Middlesbrough in the League Cup in September 2009.

He has established himself as a key member of Ferguson's squad but faces further competition for a place in the team following Robin van Persie's arrival from Arsenal.

Ferguson currently has Welbeck, Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Federico Macheda as striking options.

"I can't wait for the challenge of the new season to play my part in helping the team compete for trophies," said Welbeck, who started United's opening game of the season at Everton.

"I'm learning all the time from the best manager in the game and I'm keen for that to continue alongside the world class players in the squad."

Ferguson continued: "He has become an important player at international level as well, as the maturity of his performances at the European Championships showed.

"This year is another important one for him. He has a bright future ahead of him."