Ferguson’s Former Assistant Claims Man Utd Have Made “A Big Mistake” Allowing Player To Join Chelsea
Ex-Man Utd first-team coach Rene Meulensteen believes his former team made “a big mistake” in not bringing Danny Welbeck back to the club this summer.
Speaking to BestBettingSites, Meulensteen said the Red Devils should have matched the offer Chelsea made for the 35-year-old:
“It saddens me to see Danny go to Chelsea rather than coming back to Manchester United. If the rumours are true that United refused to offer him a two-year contract, it’s a big mistake on their part, and Chelsea are the ultimate winners.”
“When you are looking for a backup striker to support Benjamin Sesko, Danny knows the Premier League inside out, understands Manchester United’s DNA, and came through our academy.”
“He brings immense experience, technical intelligence, and above all, humility. He looks after his body meticulously, and Chelsea will benefit 100% from his presence, professionalism, and goal threat. The Old Trafford fans would have loved to see him back.”
Meulensteen worked with Welbeck
The Dutchman spent five years working as one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistants between 2008 and 2013, and he saw the young striker make his first-team debut.
Welbeck started for United during a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough in a League Cup third-round tie, and he would go on to make 142 appearances for the Red Devils before his departure for Arsenal in 2014.
Why didn’t Man Utd try to re-sign Welbeck?
Meulensteen suggests that United were reluctant to hand the 35-year-old a long-term contract, which consequently led to the player joining Chelsea instead.
However, there is no indication that Michael Carrick’s side held a serious interest in Welbeck, despite the clamour for him to be brought back to Manchester.
Probably the main reason why no concerted effort was made to sign him was due to the presence of Joshua Zirkzee. If the Dutchman had left the club during the summer transfer window, there would have been room for a new backup for Sesko.