Danny Welbeck played under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, winning the Premier League in his final season as manager, and the two still keep in touch to this day
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Sir Alex Ferguson former Manager of Manchester United and Danny Welbeck of Brighton and Hove Albion
Sir Alex Ferguson and Danny Welbeck remain in touch(Image: Richard Sellers/Getty Images)
Sir Alex Ferguson has kept in touch with former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck, who still feels the love from his old manager. Welbeck came through the United academy system and spent six years in the first team before moving on in 2014 and now plays for Brighton.
He helped United win the Premier League and two League Cups during his time with the club. The striker was part of the squad which brought the last of Ferguson’s 13 Premier League titles in 2013 with United and remains a popular figure at his former club.
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Now 34, Welbeck is performing a role as one of the most experienced players in Fabian Hurzeler’s exciting young Brighton squad. He is enjoying a productive campaign, with eight goals and four assists in 27 appearances – the most recent of which came in a 2-1 win against Newcastle in the FA Cup earlier this month.
It was an important strike for the Seagulls, who triumphed in extra-time at St James’ Park to book themselves an FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest on Saturday evening. The goal didn’t just delight Brighton fans – it also caught the eye of Ferguson.
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"[He] actually phoned me after the Newcastle goal," Welbeck told BBC Football Focus. "He talked about the goal and the performance. He was buzzing and to have that sort of connection, he is a manager who is always looking out for his players, always wants the best for them, and still to this day is in contact."
After leaving United in 2014, Welbeck moved to Arsenal, where he spent five years and worked under another great manager: Arsene Wenger. He enjoyed working under both and feels lucky to have been influenced by United and Arsenal’s two greatest bosses.
"Sir Alex Ferguson got success in his own way, Arsene Wenger had success in his way," Welbeck added. There's different ways to reach success. Those two managers played a huge part in my life, not just my career."
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Danny Welbeck of Brighton & Hove Albion shoots under pressure from Ola Aina and Nikola Milenkovic during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Amex Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Danny Welbeck is thriving at Brighton(Image: Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Welbeck is playing so well for Brighton that his former team-mate Wayne Rooney recently suggested that United should consider re-signing him in the summer. "Danny's great to play alongside,” Rooney said.
"If I'm completely honest I'd probably like to still see him here, playing for Manchester United. He's scored goals throughout his career. He had injuries in the early part of his career but he seems to have got over them and he's having a fantastic season."
Gary Neville agreed, saying: “He was let go too quickly at United. If you think about Louis van Gaal, his style of play is very precise, now Danny Welbeck wasn't precise in his game back then, so he (Van Gaal) just let him go. He didn't fancy him at all.
“But he's actually perfect for how Manchester United should play. Threatening space in behind, playing off front players. This idea that he's not good enough for Manchester United is absolutely rubbish.”
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