A few very good players have played for both Arsenal and Manchester United over the years.
The two historic English clubs have shared many battles in their prime years. Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s rivalry was better than anything we’ve ever seen in the Premier League.
Arsenal and Manchester United aren’t on the same level anymore. The Gunners are second and still in the title race, while the Red Devils are 13th in the table now, 21 points below Mikel Arteta’s side.
The common problem for both sides, however, is at the top end of the pitch, and Gary Neville has had his say on the type of player his old side are missing right now.
Gary Neville makes interesting claim about Danny Welbeck and Manchester United
Danny Welbeck played for both Arsenal and Manchester United in the past.
The Englishman started his career under Ferguson at Old Trafford. He was viewed by many as a great talent back then, but he couldn’t fulfil his potential at United.
Louis van Gaal sold Welbeck to Arsenal in the summer of 2014 and he spent five years as a Gunner. But, after several injuries, Unai Emery released him in 2019.
Welbeck then had a spell at Watford, but his return to stardom has happened at Brighton and Hove Albion, where he has been fantastic.
Speaking about the 34-year-old after watching him against Chelsea on Friday night, Neville claimed that Welbeck would be ‘almost perfect’ for Manchester United now.
He said on Sky Sports: “He was let go too quickly at United because if you think about Louis van Gaal, his style of play is very precise, and Danny wasn’t precise in his game back then. So he just let him go. He didn’t fancy him at all.
“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 at Manchester United.”
After giving Liverpool’s example, Neville added: “Sometimes we sort of 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 tonight, that front four, and he was a part of it, a big part of it.”
READ MORE: Danny Welbeck names the player in Manchester United training who was ‘ten steps ahead’
"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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Danny Welbeck’s record at Arsenal, Manchester United and Brighton compared
When Welbeck first burst onto the scene, he was viewed as a player who had everything.
The attacker has the ability to play anywhere in the front three, he’s quick, strong, good in the air and he’s not too bad in front of goal either. To add to that, his work ethic is absolutely brilliant.
Games Goals Assists
Danny Welbeck at Manchester United 142 29 16
Danny Welbeck at Arsenal 126 32 13
Danny Welbeck at Brighton and Hove Albion 148 32 12
(Correct as of February 15, 2025)
As the table shows above, Welbeck has never really been prolific, but as a backup attacker, he is more than good enough to play at the highest level.
We’re sure both Arsenal and Manchester United – who have their own problems up front – would seriously consider Welbeck if he suddenly became available.
Erik ten Hag even wanted to re-sign Welbeck for Manchester United when he was still at the club.