Lee Sharpe says Ruben Amorim should welcome Danny Welbeck to Old Trafford with open arms.
The 34-year-old emerged from Manchester United's youth academy in 2008 and went on to score 29 goals in 142 games either side of successful loan spells at Preston North End and Sunderland. However, the Englishman – who has capped 42 times for his country – was sold to Arsenal in 2014 for a reported £16 million in the hope of more playing time under Arsene Wenger.
Welbeck found the back of the net 32 times in 126 appearances for the Gunners before making the move to Watford in 2019. The striker spent just one solemn year at Vicarage Road before Brighton and Hove Albion secured him on a free transfer in 2020 – a team Welbeck has genuinely impressed.
Under Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler, Welbeck has scored 32 goals in 139 appearances, proving he is still in the closet despite being in his footballing nascent years, with six of his goals coming this season. And now United legend Sharpe has urged new United boss Amorim to work on securing Welbeck's services in the January transfer window to provide support for Rasmus Hojlund.
Speaking to Racing Tipster, Sharpe said: “Manchester United could be looking at someone like Danny Welbeck in January. I know he's been at the club before but he's doing brilliant things at Brighton this season and looks great at the moment. really confident and mature.
“He works really hard, scores and scores goals, and he looks like he's at his best there at the AMEX Stadium. That's the type of striker I'm thinking of, who is bright enough and strong enough to have a really good effect to have.” in the Eredivisie.
“I think Rasmus Hojlund will eventually be good, but he is still a bit raw and still needs a bit more composure, so the club probably needs some extra reinforcement.”
While 21-year-old Hojlund has impressed in a United shirt since joining from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, the youngster looks far from the end product the Red Devils desperately need. The side lack an outright goalscoring threat as they languish in twelfth place, with four wins, draws and losses apiece in their first twelve league games.
While Erik ten Hag signed Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in a £36.5 million contract this summer, it is reported that the former United boss was also looking to add a second seasoned striker to his squad to add some depth. The Athletic report stated that he felt Welbeck fit the bill perfectly, and included him in his recruitment discussions.
However, INEOS-backed United failed to put together a solid offer, and Welbeck is now tied to the AMEX Stadium until at least 2026. Ten Hag was then shown the door at Old Trafford, after a 2-1 defeat to West Ham last month was the straw that broke the camel's back after a disappointing two-year spell at United.
Former Sporting CP head coach Amorim has his work cut out for him if he is to turn the tide in the North West, especially considering his side were held to a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Sunday on his debut as manager. United take on FK Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday evening before hosting Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
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