Manchester United have made a lot of mistakes in the transfer market during the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
For players departing Old Trafford, a career turnaround is usually on the cards with Angel Gomes among notable examples, with his career taking off in France.
Most recently, Manchester United will have been left impressed with Antony’s performances on loan in Spain with Real Betis. Antony has been wowing his new fans, with an unstoppable performance against Gent.
There is an endless list – with Ruben Amorim explaining why players thrive away from Old Trafford. However, there is currently one player who would be a serious upgrade on a current problem position for United.
It sees a deal from 2014 look ill-judged and it is one United will be ruing.
Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion controls the ball whilst under pressure from Jadon Sancho (L) and Marc Cucurella of Chelsea (R) during ...
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Gary Neville argues Danny Welbeck should have been kept
One striker United will surely regret letting go is Danny Welbeck, and now Gary Neville has spoken out over this 2014 decision which still annoys him to this day.
Neville spoke on Sky Sports after Brighton beat Chelsea 3-0, as Welbeck grabbed two assists in an immense display.
“He was let go too quickly at United, because if you think about Louis van Gaal, his style is very precise, and Danny wasn’t in his game back then so he just let him go.
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“But he’s almost perfect for how Manchester United should play, threatening space in behind and playing off front players.
“This idea that he’s not good enough for Manchester United is absolutely rubbish. He’s good enough to be in a pool of three or four strikers.
“Sometimes we tag these players with ‘oh he’s not good enough’… no he is, to be part of a 20-man squad at a top club, he can still play at the very top level. He’s destroying defences, he’s torn Colwill and Chalobah to shreds.”
"This idea that he's not good enough for Manchester United is absolutely rubbish" ❌
Gary Neville says Danny Welbeck is 'perfect' for how Man United should play 👇 pic.twitter.com/tSNX89Y3Q6
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 14, 2025
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Welbeck’s staggering record against Manchester United
United sold Welbeck on deadline day in 2014 for £16m, which made way for Radamel Falcao to arrive on loan. This move epitomises the transfer policy of the Glazers over the past decade.
Welbeck was a Sir Alex Ferguson favourite and since selling him, the Englishman has boasted an excellent record against United.
The United academy graduate has scored six and assisted one in 17 games against his boyhood club since leaving.
Under Erik ten Hag Welbeck was linked with a United return, and it sounds as though if Neville had his way the 34-year-old would be re-signed.
Welbeck would have been a great squad player over the years and it really is a shame he was sold just to loan Falcao.