Pearce praises United's commitment to U21 side despite Fergie's Welbeck snub

Stuart Pearce has stressed he retains the full support and co-operation of Sir Alex Ferguson despite the Manchester United manager blocking his attempts to select Danny Welbeck.

The England Under-21 head coach made an audacious request to Ferguson late last Friday night, asking if he would allow Welbeck to join up with his squad for the Euro 2013 qualifier with Norway despite the striker playing for the seniors in Montenegro.

Ferguson declined, reasoning it would place too much of a strain on Welbeck ahead of United’s crucial trip to Liverpool this weekend. It left Pearce with just Watford's Marvin Sordell as his only fit striker for Monday’s fixture in Drammen.

In demand: Stuart Pearce wanted Danny Welbeck for his Under 21 side

Pearce, however, insists there was absolutely no animosity over the issue.

United have been one of the most obliging clubs in the Barclays Premier League when it comes to releasing young players for international games and Pearce maintains that will continue to be the case.

‘I spoke with Alex,’ Pearce said. ‘I phoned him on Friday evening after the game had finished. I apologised for waking him up with it being so late and I asked whether it would be possible for us to have Danny. 

Winning ways: Stuart Pearce watched his side beat Norway

‘But he said no. I knew I was taking a gamble asking the question. He said “listen, he’s flown to Montenegro. You are now asking me to fly him back, then fly him to Oslo when we have got a big game at the weekend”. He had already been on the pitch in Montenegro.

‘He declined the offer and I can quite understand that. I had to ask the question, to make sure I was doing my job properly. We have only got one striker here. I also asked the same question to (Tottenham manager) Harry Redknapp for Kyle Walker.

'Harry gave us his blessing but Kyle’s girlfriend is due to have a baby very shortly and, having been away for a week, he declined the offer. We had great support from Harry and – if Danny hadn’t played – I’m sure we’d have had great support from Alex, too. 

‘Alex is fantastic. He has supported us brilliantly. We have had Ben Amos here. We have had a lot of players from United, they are an outstanding club. The majority of the managers are fantastically supportive. I understand that they have to look after their own interests.’

As it transpired, Pearce’s concerns that England would come up short in Norway were unfounded. Showing great spirit and tenacity, the new crop of Under-21s ground out a 2-1 win to maintain their advantage at the top of Group 8 and extended their unbeaten start to the season.

Though the disappointment of their failure at Euro 2011 remains fresh in the memory, players like West Brom’s Craig Dawson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson have starred in the rebuilding process.

Keeping the run going: England celebrate their win over Norway

Typically, however, Pearce is not getting too carried away. Another double header against Iceland and Belgium next month will provide him with a clearer idea of where this crop stands in terms of qualification and he will not alter the points target he feels England will need to cross the line.

‘There won’t be any complacency with me at the helm,’ he said. ‘We have got a double header in four weeks but if we get maximum points again, we are really in charge of this group. 17 points is the target. Someone in our group has got to get 17 points to qualify, that’s for sure.’