Manchester United great Wayne Rooney believes Brighton’s Danny Welbeck should still play at Old Trafford.
Welbeck graduated from United’s academy in 2008 and spent six years playing alongside Rooney.
While the striker was expected to have a long career at Old Trafford, Louis van Gaal sold him in 2014, and he joined Arsenal.
Injury troubles ended his career in north London, but following a stint at Watford, Welbeck has been revived at Brighton, scoring a spectacular winner against Newcastle United on Sunday to propel the Seagulls into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
His outstanding season on the coast comes at a time when United’s attacking options are severely underperforming.
While Welbeck will turn 35 this year, Rooney would want to see his former teammate return to the United starting lineup.
‘Danny’s terrific to play with,’ Rooney said BBC One following United’s FA Cup defeat to Fulham.
‘To be honest, I’d still like to see him play for Manchester United.
‘He has scored goals throughout his career.
‘He experienced injuries in the early stages of his career, but he appears to have overcome them and is having a tremendous season.
Welbeck has seven Premier League goals this season, more than United’s Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combined.
Hojlund has now failed to score in his previous 18 games, and he struggled against the Cottagers before being substituted by 17-year-old Chido Obi in the second half on Sunday evening.
The former Arsenal teenager outperformed his older teammate, causing Calvin Bassey some problems and creating his side’s best chance to win the game in extra time, which was thwarted by a brilliant stop from Bernd Leno.
Obi has now made three substitute appearances, and with Hojlund and Zirkzee struggling, he may be given more opportunities in the coming weeks.
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