Gary Naville thinks Manchester United should have ‘never’ sold Danny Welbeck, but fellow Old Trafford star Roy Keane disagrees. Welbeck made 142 Premier League games for the club after graduating from its academy, and he was a member of Sir Alex Ferguson’s final United team to win the title. The England international left in 2014, disgruntled with his lack of playing time, and joined Arsenal for £16 million. Welbeck underwhelmed at the Emirates Stadium and was released by Arsenal in 2019. He scored 32 goals in 126 appearances.

Another disappointing season at Watford followed, until Welbeck joined Brighton in 2020, where he has enjoyed four fantastic seasons, scoring key goals and impressing with his all-round ability.

Despite turning 34 next month, Welbeck is in perhaps the greatest shape of his career, having scored four goals in seven Premier League games this season. Manchester United, on the other hand, are struggling in front of goal, and Neville believes his previous team made a mistake when it sold Welbeck a decade ago.

Erik ten Hag’s squad has only scored five goals in seven games this season, leaving United 14th in the Premier League table at the international break. Reflecting on Welbeck’s outstanding start to the 2024-25 season, Keane quipped on Stick to Football with Sky Bet: ‘Could he move back to United maybe?’ Neville responded, ‘He’s in better shape than any of the United front players, by far. Danny Welbeck, to be fair, should never have been let go from United. However, ex-Manchester United captain Keane expressed his thoughts on Welbeck’s leaving, stating, ‘Oh, I don’t know about that Gary, we can’t keep saying that about guys just because they left.’

Neville then remarked, ‘Roy, if you’ve got a squad of 24, 23, and you want to maintain five or six forwards, he has to be one of them. You have to keep him. Before Keane responded: ‘When a player quits and has a successful career, it does not imply that they were good enough for Manchester United.’ Wayne Rooney, Welbeck’s former United teammate, also appeared on the broadcast and lauded the striker’s strengths.

I believe one of his greatest abilities was winning the ball back high up the pitch,” Rooney added. ‘He was aggressive; you’d push, and he’d reclaim possession high up the pitch.

‘His touch was good, and we had a very good connection. He was bright, clever with the ball, enjoyable to play with, and speedy. Welbeck helped Brighton defeat Manchester United earlier this season, and after the game on the south coast, Rio Ferdinand expressed his surprise at his departure from Old Trafford. “Nothing surprises me about Danny Welbeck,” the Old Trafford veteran said when asked about his former teammate’s qualifications. ‘I grew up watching him play for Manchester United and thought he was a fantastic player.

‘I couldn’t believe it when United agreed to let him go because I thought he was so valuable not only as a player but also around the club as a former academy player. ‘I believe that players who have faced him have more respect for him than some fans who are unaware of how difficult he is to play against. He’s also a fantastic professional. United’s defeat at Brighton was one of five in the Premier League this season, the club’s worst start to a season, putting them only five points above the relegation zone. Manchester United will be anxious to return to winning ways on Saturday when Brentford visit Old Trafford, before the Red Devils face José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce.