Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant, Rene Meulensteen, has reflected on one of Louis van Gaal’s decisions at Manchester United with sadness and regret.
Louis van Gaal spent two seasons at Manchester United and will be remembered for his rigid philosophy, eccentric personality, terrible signings and winning the FA Cup just 48 hours before his dismissal.
The Dutchman took charge of 103 matches after replacing David Moyes as United manager, winning 54, drawing 25 and losing 24 to record a 52.4% win rate.
Van Gaal was replaced by Jose Mourinho, who went on to win two trophies at Old Trafford, including the Carabao Cup and Europa League.
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However, United are still feeling pain from some of the decisions Van Gaal made during his time at the club, 11 years on.
That’s when Danny Welbeck was sold to Arsenal. The 35-year-old scored his ninth goal against his former club since his exit when Brighton beat United 2-1 in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Danny Welbeck clapping the fans at Old Trafford.
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Rene Meulensteen disagreed with Man Utd selling Danny Welbeck
It was a common view at Old Trafford on Sunday that United should never have sold Welbeck.
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Before his exit in 2014, Welbeck graduated through United’s academy and broke into the team as a hot prospect under Sir Alex Ferguson, making his debut in 2008.
Welbeck’s debut for United came in September 2008 at the age of 17, in a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough in the League Cup third round.
He went on to make 142 appearances for United’s first team, scoring 29 goals and registering 16 assists.
Former United coach Rene Meulensteen claims he was ‘very sad’ when United decided to sell Welbeck to Arsenal because he was a player with club DNA.
“I was very sad to be honest when United decided to sell him, to move him on,” Meulensteen told Sam Allardyce on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“That was under Louis van Gaal because I do really think don’t know what you think Sam but players that have come through the academy the club’s academy they’ve got this different kind of DNA carrying with them what the club is all about. Definitely Danny had that, you know what I mean?”
Should we just re-sign Danny Welbeck at this point? He seems to love scoring at Old Trafford
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Welbeck may be 35, but he has nine goals to his name in all competitions this season.
Phil Jones believes Man Utd would take Danny Welbeck back
Welbeck knocked United out of the FA Cup for a second time on Sunday.
It came as the latest blow in another difficult campaign for the Red Devils.
The former United forward, who spent 13 years at his boyhood club, is still scoring goals regularly in the Premier League.
Phil Jones believes the Red Devils would welcome back Welbeck and noted how United fans wanted to keep him at the club.
“I remember Welbz when he first joined United, and he was a terrific talent then,” Jones told BBC Sport.
“Should he have left Old Trafford? I think a lot of fans were sad to see him leave. You look now, and I think they’d take him back in a heartbeat.”
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