Leading by example: Steven Gerrard continued to lead the team with a typically buccaneering performance

‘But there is a lot more work for us to do. I was pleased with the goal because when your two front players work well together and  nick the ball off defenders and score, you have a hell of a chance at any level.

‘Both Welbeck and Carroll have done pretty well with the chance they have been given in the two games. Obviously when I put the 23 together the Welbeck-Rooney  combination was in my mind because they’ve done well this year.’

They have indeed, and it is something that extends to Ashley Young, who provided a terrific ball for  Welbeck’s 36th-minute winner.

Much like Terry and Ashley Cole, there is an obvious benefit to building a team around players from the same club. Once Rooney is back, it is feasible that Hodgson will move Young to the left and have three United players in his attack.

For France and, indeed, Sweden he has to come up with alternatives and beyond the choice of striker, it will be fascinating to see which wingers he opts for. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did well on his full debut and there is little doubt he has a role to play at Euro 2012.

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