“A good fit” – MEN reveals which striker Man Utd want as Zirkzee replacement

Manchester United could decide to bring Danny Welbeck back to the club if Joshua Zirkzee leaves this summer.

Following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko last summer, Zirkzee has been reduced to a mere benchwarmer this season under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick.

While the Dutchman remains a popular figure in the locker room and among the Old Trafford faithful, he will consider his options this summer, as he looks to put his career back on track.

Danny Welbeck suggested as Joshua Zirkzee replacement

Thanks to his Bologna exploits between 2022 and 2024, Zirkzee remains highly-regarded in Serie A, with several Italian giants, including Roma, reportedly considering a move.

If the 25-year-old were to walk away, Man Utd would have to bring in another striker, as they cannot start the campaign with Sesko as the solitary out-and-out centre-back.

According to the Manchester Evening News journalist Tyrone Marshall, United are unlikely to shell out a large transfer fee on a new attacker. Instead, they would look to pair Sesko with an experienced striker, who might just be Welbeck.

“United would like to address this in the summer, and in an ideal world, Joshua Zirkzee would be sold with a more experienced striker replacing him,” wrote Marshall.

“When you say ‘proven,’ the market the club will focus on is an older head who can be Benjamin Sesko’s backup, providing rotation and competition. Someone like Danny Welbeck could be a good fit.

“What they won’t be doing is dropping big money on another big-name striker. There is faith in Sesko’s ability to lead the line for a long time to come and his first season was promising.”

Should Man Utd consider Welbeck?

With Sesko, Cunha, and Mbeumo all delivering the goods in their maiden campaigns at Old Trafford, we can confidently say that last summer’s attacking overhaul was hugely successful.

Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell will be looking to replicate their exploits in this summer’s midfield revamp, while also addressing other minor issues in the squad, including the back-up striker role.

In recent years, there have been many calls to bring Welbeck back to Carrington. The versatile striker is a Man Utd academy product who got his breakthrough in the first team during Sir Alex Ferguson’s final years at the club.

The Englishman was sold to Arsenal in 2014, and then had a brief spell at Watford in 2019/20, before joining Brighton on a free transfer in 2020.

The 35-year-old has been enjoying an Indian summer with the Seagulls, but a return to Old Trafford could be too tempting to resist, especially with Champions League football on display.

Welbeck’s contract will expire next year, so his market price should be modest, but it remains to be seen if Brighton would be willing to facilitate the transfer.