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Manchester United decision-makers have been made to regret selling players in the past and Gary Neville believes one came back to haunt them.
Neville watched several teammates head for the Old Trafford exit during nearly 20 years with his boyhood club. David Beckham made a controversial move to Real Madrid in 2003 after falling out with manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Beckham became a Galactico at the Estadio Bernabeu but he isn't the only Red Devil to make the switch to the Spanish capital. Six years later, Cristiano Ronaldo secured a dream move to Madrid for a then-world record £80 million.
It's not just world-class talent who move on, though, as plenty of up-and-coming stars have been offloaded. While some of them justify the decision to sell, others leave the transfer chiefs with egg on their face.
Gary Neville Bemoaned Man Utd Player Sale
Gary Neville arrives to attend the funeral of Denis Law
Gary Neville arrives to attend the funeral of Denis Law
United entered a new era in 2024 following Ferguson's retirement, and there was a clear shift in the club's transfer strategy along with squad building. There was no longer as much focus on the academy, but rather a consistent desire to sign big names, largely due to their commercial appeal.
One academy graduate who fell victim to this approach was Danny Welbeck, who had caught the eye after stepping up to the senior team. The English forward was still a work in progress but he'd impressed when called upon.
Welbeck found himself behind Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney in the United pecking order. Louis van Gaal's arrival as David Moyes' replacement led to a surprising deadline-day move to rivals Arsenal for £16 million.
After the Englishman made the move, Van Gaal explained that "Welbeck doesn't have the record of Van Persie or Rooney." That much was true as he finished his Old Trafford spell with 29 goals and 16 assists in 142 games.
While his time at Arsenal didn't quite live up to expectations, he has become a major hit at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he's spent the last six years of his career. He joined the Seagulls after a brief spell with Watford and he's certainly reminded United what they are missing each time he's faced them.
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Neville recalled his stance over Welbeck leaving United ahead of the veteran striker's move to Chelsea. He spoke glowingly of the 35-year-old while speaking on Sky Sports: "I said ten [12] years ago that Manchester United should never have sold Danny Welbeck. He’s gone away and done brilliantly well. He’s coming into a little cameo at the end of his career but he’s a fantastic player."
Welbeck managed 51 goals and 18 assists in 201 games for Brighton, helping fire the Seagulls to UEFA Conference League qualification in the 2025-26 campaign. For most of his time at the Amex, the Red Devils lacked firepower, with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Wout Weghorst struggling in front of goal.
Neville added: "I worked with him obviously as a team-mate, I worked with him with England as a coach and he was fantastic for England. And he’s been good in the Premier League as well."
Welbeck will be the first player in history to play for Chelsea, Arsenal and United in the Premier League. If Neville had his way, he'd still be at Old Trafford rather than moving to Stamford Bridge.
Michael Carrick Hailed 'Fantastic' Welbeck
Danny Welbeck celebrates his goal against Stoke
Danny Welbeck celebrates his goal against Stoke
When INEOS appointed Michael Carrick as permanent coach in May, there was much talk over a potential reunion with Welbeck. That has been ruled out as Chelsea have swooped for one of English football's most reliable forwards.
Carrick revealed that he still kept in touch with his former teammate ahead of United's final game of the season against Brighton. He lavished praise on the 42-cap England international: "I still call him 'my lad'. He's an old man now, which makes me feel old. Huge respect for him. It's terrific that he came through here and made a massive impact."
The United boss added: "For him to go on and have the career he's had and still be playing so well at the age he is shows his mindset and his attitude and all those things enable you to play to 35."
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Welbeck has stated in the past that he knew he had to leave his boyhood club after spending much of his time on the wing. Given the lackluster strikers that arrived after his departure, most of the Old Trafford fanbase will forever wonder what could have been.