Sunderland defender Titus Bramble has hailed the progress of former team-mate and Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck.
Despite the 22-year-old managing just one English Premier League goal all season, Bramble is well aware of the quality he is likely to face when he comes up against his former team-mate on Saturday.
"It was plain to see for all the players here that Danny had so much ability," Bramble told The Sun.
"He was young, enthusiastic and that season with us did the world of good for him. He went back to United and now he's a regular for England and playing very well.
"We knew he could hold his own for United but with the money they've got, they can buy whoever they want to really.
"But it's a credit to him that he's played so much. He's a great guy, works hard every day in training and wants to learn. It's paying off now."
According to Bramble, that Welbeck was picked ahead of Rooney in United's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid speaks volumes of the player's calibre.
"He kept out Rooney for the Champions League game against Real Madrid to play alongside Robin van Persie and that said it all," he said.
