Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes the club made a mistake by selling Danny Welbeck, while fellow United icon Roy Keane disagrees.
Welbeck, a product of United’s academy, made 142 appearances for the club and was part of the last team to win the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson. However, frustrated by limited playing time, the England international left Old Trafford in 2014, joining Arsenal in a £16m deal.
Although Welbeck’s time at Arsenal saw mixed results—scoring 32 goals in 126 appearances—he was released in 2019. After a brief stint at Watford, Welbeck joined Brighton in 2020, where he has enjoyed a career resurgence, becoming a key player and contributing crucial goals.
Despite turning 34 next month, Welbeck is in top form, with four goals in seven Premier League games this season. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s struggles in front of goal have led Neville to suggest the club should never have let Welbeck go.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United side has struggled offensively this season, managing only five goals in seven Premier League games, leaving them 14th in the table during the international break.
On *Stick to Football* with Sky Bet, Roy Keane humorously suggested, “Could he [Danny Welbeck] go back to United maybe?” in response to Welbeck’s strong start to the 2024-25 season with Brighton.
Gary Neville quickly agreed, saying, “He’s in better form than any of the United front players, by far. Danny Welbeck, to be fair, should never have been let go at United.”
However, former United captain Keane disagreed, countering, “Oh, I don’t know about that, Gary. We can’t keep saying that about players just because he left.”
Gary Neville further emphasized his point, saying, “Roy, if you’ve got a squad of 24, 23, and you want to keep five or six strikers, he’s got to be one of those. You’ve got to keep him.”
Roy Keane, however, maintained his stance, replying, “Sometimes a player leaves and has a really good career, it doesn’t mean to say they were good enough for Manchester United.”
Welbeck’s former United teammate, Wayne Rooney, also weighed in on the discussion, highlighting the striker’s strengths. “I think one of his biggest strengths was winning the ball back high up the pitch,” Rooney noted. “He was aggressive; you’d go and press, and he’d win it back high up the pitch.”
Wayne Rooney further praised Danny Welbeck, adding, “His touch was good, and we had a really good connection. He was bright, clever with the ball, and quick. He was great to play with.”
Welbeck had a standout performance when Brighton defeated Manchester United earlier in the season. After the match, Rio Ferdinand, another former teammate, also expressed disbelief over Welbeck’s departure from Old Trafford. “Nothing surprises me with Danny Welbeck,” Ferdinand said. “I watched him as a young kid at Manchester United, and he was a wonderful player. I couldn’t believe it when United agreed to let him go because I thought he had so much value—not only as a player but also around the place, being a former academy product.”
Ferdinand continued, “I think players who’ve faced him respect him more than some fans realize. He’s a great professional and a tough opponent.”
Brighton’s victory was one of five defeats Manchester United has suffered in the Premier League this season, marking their worst start to a campaign, leaving them just five points above the relegation zone.
The Red Devils will be eager to turn things around when they host Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday, before facing José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
