Gary Neville believes Manchester United should’ve never let go of Danny Welbeck.
After progressing through the ranks of United’s academy system and playing a key first-team role, the striker made the switch to Arsenal in September 2014 in a £16 million deal.
Why did United part ways with Welbeck?
Welbeck departed his boyhood club with a record of 29 goals and 16 assists in 142 appearances, which then-manager Louis van Gaal deemed unacceptable for the level of United.
He said shortly after facilitating the sale: “Danny Welbeck had been here since he was nine, but after he came back from Sunderland, he does not have the record of [Wayne] Rooney or [Robin] van Persie, and that is the standard.
“And we have [Radamel] Falcao. Today, in training, he had one chance and it is a goal. That’s why we had to let him (Welbeck) go.”
Danny Welbeck with a stunner in the derby! ⚡️#MUFC | #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/VBbrBuBCeT
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 4, 2022
The Englishman established a more prolific goalscoring record for Arsenal, notching 32 goals – as well as 13 assists – in 126 games.
For the last six years, Welbeck has been seeing out the twilight of his career with Brighton and Hove Albion.
In fact, he impressed so much last season that there were calls for him to be included in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad to provide some experience for the Three Lions, as well as some respite for Harry Kane.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 37 | 13 | 1 | 2,266 |
Welbeck’s 2025/2026 Premier League record
He was ultimately unlucky to miss out on a spot on the plane, but did see his efforts land him a surprise transfer this summer.
"I can only control what I can control."
Danny Welbeck on missing out on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this week 💬
🎙️ @lynseyhipgrave1 | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/oLCmsy36bg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 21, 2026
Former Reds react to Welbeck’s impending Chelsea move
David Ornstein broke the news last week that Chelsea had begun pursuing an out-of-the-blue deal for Welbeck.
The London outfit were enticed by his ‘quality’ and ‘leadership’, which led to new boss Xabi Alonso green-lighting the prospective addition.
🚨 Chelsea exploring move to sign Danny Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion. Terms end 2027 & #BHAFC aware of interest. Early stage but optimism on all sides deal can be done; quality + leadership appeals to Alonso / #CFC @TheAthleticFC post @kierangill_DM https://t.co/wVkn0vcK7h
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 27, 2026
Rio Ferdinand took to Twitter/X to urge United to intervene and bring Welbeck back to M16, although INEOS opted against a late hijack.
Neville subsequently reacted to the reports ahead of Welbeck completing his medical later this week, saying on Sky Sports today: “I said 10 years ago that Manchester United should never have sold Danny Welbeck. He’s gone away and done brilliantly well.
“He’s coming into a sort of what would be a little cameo at the end of his career as well, but he’s a fantastic player. It’s a good move for Chelsea, and it gives them a real option up front.”
Author
