Wayne Rooney has stated that Manchester United should never have sold a player who came through the ranks under Sir Alex Ferguson – and believes he would still get into today’s team.
Rooney is on punditry duty for BBC Sport during United’s FA Cup fifth round clash against Fulham at Old Trafford.
And after another poor first half performance – which saw United fail to score from open play in the first half for the 18th consecutive match – Rooney made his feelings clear about the performance.
After watching highlights of Brighton’s 2-1 win over Newcastle, the United legend noted how Danny Welbeck – who scored Brighton’s extra time winner – should never have been sold by the club.
Welbeck was promoted into the first team under Sir Alex Ferguson and scored 20 goals in 92 Premier League appearances for the club.
He netted on 10 occasions in all competitions in the 2013/14 campaign under David Moyes, but was then sold to Arsenal in Louis van Gaal’s first summer in charge.
Rooney said: “Danny was great to play alongside. If I’m being completely honest, I’d probably still like to see him here, playing for Manchester United.
“He scores goals throughout his career. He had injuries in the early part of his career but he seems to have got over them, and he’s having a fantastic season.”
After leaving Arsenal in 2019, Welbeck had a short spell at Watford before moving to Brighton, where he has become one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre forwards.
He already has eight goals to his name in all competitions this season, and remains an important player under Fabian Hurzeler despite Brighton spending significantly on attacking players in recent seasons.
In October, The Athletic reported that United had in fact been interested in bringing Welbeck back to Old Trafford last summer.
It was claimed that previous manager Erik ten Hag believed he would be an ‘excellent’ signing, and that his name was discussed as a potential replacement for Anthony Martial.
However, an offer was not made to the 34-year-old striker, and United instead signed Joshua Zirkzee as an attacking option.
Zirkzee had a difficult start to life at United, and was booed off the pitch when substituted in the first half of December’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, but has received praise for his all-round performances in recent weeks and has moved ahead of Rasmus Hojlund as United’s most threatening centre forward.
More to follow…
