Gary Neville nearly got Man Utd transfer wish after talks to re-sign Premier League star

Manchester United spent more than £200million on signings during the summer transfer window but that figure could've been different had they followed up on their interest in a former player

Manchester United seriously considered re-signing former striker Danny Welbeck during the summer transfer window in a move which would've pleased Gary Neville.

Welbeck, 33, was sold by United 10 years ago, joining Premier League rivals Arsenal for £16million. A decade on and the 42-time England international is starring for Brighton, scoring six goals in his first nine games this season.

One of those came against United in August, as the Seagulls nabbed a late 2-1 win. That was one of four league defeats which spelled the end for manager Erik ten Hag, who also saw Welbeck register an assist against the Red Devils in his very first game in charge on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 season.

But Welbeck could've had the chance to help keep Ten Hag in a job had United followed up on their interest in the 33-year-old this summer. The Athletic report that Ten Hag, who was sacked by the Red Devils on Monday, thought Welbeck would've been an 'excellent' addition to his squad and was a key voice of support for the striker's potential return.

Welbeck's experience and professionalism was viewed as a positive for United's dressing room but an offer ultimately didn't materialise. Instead, they signed Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £34m and the Dutchman has only scored one goal.

Ex-captain Neville recently stated that United should never have sold Welbeck, although his former team-mate, Roy Keane, disagrees. "He's in better form than any of the United front players, by far," Neville noted on the Stick to Football podcast. "Danny Welbeck, to be fair, should never have been let go at United."

Keane, who'd joked about Welbeck's return, responded by saying: "Oh, I don't know about that, Gary. We can't keep saying that about players just because he left."

Neville argued: "Roy, if you've got a squad of 24, 23, and you want to keep five or six strikers, he's got to be one of those. You've got to keep him." Keane then replied: "Sometimes a player leaves and has a really good career, it doesn't mean to say they were good enough for Manchester United."

Get involved! Should Manchester United have made a bid for Danny Welbeck? Have your say in the comments section.

Rio Ferdinand is also in Neville's camp, telling TNT Sports: "Nothing surprises me with Danny Welbeck. I watched him as a young kid at Manchester United and he was a wonderful player. I couldn't believe it when United agreed to let him go because I thought he had so much value, not only as a player but just around the place as well as a former academy player.

"I think he's someone who players who have played against him respect more than some fans who don't quite realise how difficult he is to play against. He's a great professional, too."

Welbeck is under contract at Brighton until 2026.

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