Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes the club made a mistake in selling Danny Welbeck, calling the Brighton striker “perfect” for the style of play United should embrace.
A Decade On, Welbeck is Still Making an Impact
It’s been nearly ten years since Welbeck left Old Trafford for Arsenal on transfer deadline day in September 2014. Fast forward to today, and he’s still proving his worth in the Premier League, playing a pivotal role in Brighton’s dominant 3-0 win over Chelsea on Friday.
Neville: United Let Him Go Too Quickly
Reflecting on Welbeck’s departure, Neville expressed his disappointment at how quickly the club parted ways with the talented forward.
“He was let go too quickly at United,” Neville said. “If you think about Louis van Gaal’s system, it was very structured and precise. At that time, Danny wasn’t as refined in his game, so Van Gaal just didn’t fancy him.”
A Perfect Fit for United’s Attack?
Despite being cast aside, Neville insists that Welbeck would still be a great fit at Manchester United today.
“He’s actually perfect for how United should play—stretching defenses, making runs in behind, and linking up with front players. The idea that he wasn’t good enough for United is absolute rubbish.”
Neville compared Welbeck’s potential role to that of Liverpool’s dynamic forward lineup, emphasizing the importance of squad depth.
“At a top club, you need three or four strikers. Look at Liverpool—they have multiple attacking options, each bringing something different to the table. Welbeck could have been part of a strong rotation at United.”
Still Performing at the Highest Level
Neville dismissed doubts about Welbeck’s ability to play at the top level, pointing to his continued success in the Premier League.
“Sometimes we label players as ‘not good enough’ too quickly. Welbeck has shown he can still deliver, and he’s causing real problems for defenders. He’s thriving, and United might have made a big mistake letting him go.”