Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck says his loan spell at Sunderland was the making of him.
The Manchester-born striker, who turns 21 this month, puts his form down to last season spent on loan at The Stadium of Light.
Welbeck said: "I went to Sunderland as a boy and I came back a man.
"I went there at 19 and came back at 20 more mature physically and mentally.
"It was the next step in my career to go out there and get games in the Premier League week in and week out.
"It was beneficial to me and like a stepping stone in my career. It allowed me to come back to United a bigger and better person."