Tag: Enjoying

September 23, 2008, is a date that Danny Welbeck is unlikely to ever forget. At the age of 19-years-old, Sir Alex Ferguson invited him to pull on a Manchester United shirt for the very first time and make his senior debut.

Welbeck was handed a start for the visit of Middlesbrough in the third round of the League Cup at Old Trafford and he was deployed up front alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, helping United win 3-1.

That evening, which saw Welbeck play 90 minutes, was the first of 142 appearances the former England international made in United colours. Born in Longsight, Welbeck lived every young United supporter’s dream.

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Although the now-34-year-old was never a prolific source of goals during his time at United, scoring 29, his Old Trafford career saw him win six major trophies, including one Premier League title. Of the 142 appearances Welbeck made, 103 of them were under Ferguson. The legendary Scot’s retirement at the end of the 2013/13 season was the beginning of the end for Welbeck at Old Trafford.

He made 33 appearances the following campaign under David Moyes, scoring 10 goals, but played just three times under Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/15 season, convincing him the time was right to leave his comfort zone and adopt a new challenge.

Arsenal came calling, swooping for him on the final day of the 2014 summer transfer window in a £16million deal. The striker had been with United since the age of eight, meaning his decision to fly the nest and move to the capital was a big step both personally and professionally, but it was a move he felt he had to make due to United’s use of him.

“At the time I was playing on the left-wing a lot and in a 4-4-2, which is very difficult for me because I can’t make an impact on the game,” Welbeck said. “I can play it to the best of my ability but that’s not best for the team, and I could make a bigger impact playing in my preferred position.

“You start to have thoughts but at that time you’re still going to training and I was still giving 100 per cent and giving my all in every single game – that’s just me, I’m not going to change that. But you do start to think about what’s best for you.”

Welbeck made 126 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 32 goals – three of which happened to be against United. He played under Arsene Wenger and then Unai Emery in north London winning two FA Cups, before being released at the end of the 2018/19 season.

He was picked up by Watford and scored three goals in 20 appearances but left the club by mutual consent just over a year later.

Then along came Brighton & Hove Albion, who signed the United academy graduate on a free transfer in October 2020. Former Seagulls boss Graham Potter said the club was ‘thrilled to add another player of his experience and quality’ to their attacking options.

Just over four years later, few would have anticipated Welbeck would be Brighton’s main marksman. The Seagulls, who are considered as one of the country’s best run clubs, have developed a knack for unearthing young, hidden gems, developing them and selling them on for a profit. Welbeck is the anomaly in their model, being signed at a juncture where his career had seemingly past its peak.

However, the striker has now surpassed his United appearance tally of 142, and will make his 144th appearance for the Seagulls if he is involved this afternoon when Brighton take on United at Old Trafford. He is also just one goal shy of scoring more goals for Brighton than any other club he has played for in his career, so far scoring 32, just as he did at Arsenal.

He has six goals this season and made his return from injury in the midweek win over Ipswich Town.

Having turned 34 earlier this season, the former United striker is ageing like a fine wine, quietly going about his duties without too much attention. Brighton fans love him, and his form in front of goal earlier this season made him a popular choice among Fantasy Premier League managers earlier this season.

Welbeck has 18 months remaining on his current deal at Brighton, but on current evidence, the south coast outfit might want him to commit to another year.

United got six years out of the Mancunian-born forward at the start of his career, but he felt the urge to move on, joining another member of the Premier League’s elite. Few, however, would have anticipated him enjoying the best spell of his career in the build up to his 34th birthday. United will hope he does not return to haunt them on Sunday afternoon.