Steve Bruce is close to securing the signing of Manchester United's young striker Danny Welbeck on a season-long loan.

Sunderland's manager, a former Old Trafford captain, believes the 19-year-old forward will put pressure on his first-choice attacking pairing of Kenwyne Jones and Darren Bent.

Sir Alex Ferguson, United's manager, has high hopes in the long term for Welbeck but can currently offer him few first-team chances.

The teenager, who can also play on the wing, spent part of last season on loan at Preston North End, managed by Ferguson's son Darren, but, after scoring twice in eight games, had his season ended by a knee injury.

Bruce, meanwhile, continues to pursue the Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and also hopes to borrow John Mensah from Lyon for another season. The Ghana centre-half had a successful, if injury-prone, loan stint at the Stadium of Light last term.