35-year-old has much to offer his boyhood club and they would do well to pursue a deal
Danny Welbeck has the famed Manchester United blood coursing through his veins. He has the DNA. He knows the club.
Danny Welbeck is also wanted by Chelsea.
This week, after the news broke by the Athletic that Chelsea were exploring a move to sign the 35-year-old, with “optimism on all sides [that a] deal can be done”, former United defender Rio Ferdinand took to X and implored the striker to “ignore” Chelsea and “come back home”.
📱 Welbs…. Ignore + come back home!
Champions League football next season in Manchester https://t.co/HHLpaR96gW— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) July 27, 2026
How valuable would a deal for Welbeck be and do United really need him?
Right now, United have only one centre-forward, Benjamin Sesko, who at 23 is still learning his trade. Either one of Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha can be played there and has been on occasion. Mbeumo has started both of United’s pre-season games so far as a No 9.
But United need as many solid options as they can find, and neither Mbeumo nor Cunha is a natural centre-forward. An experienced striker like Welbeck who has scored 23 in 50 Premier League appearances in the last two seasons can rotate in and out of the squad as needed, particularly with the number of games United will expect to play next season and the current squad looking a bit thin.
Welbeck, as mentioned, knows the club. He came through the United academy and scored 29 goals in 142 appearances before leaving for Arsenal in 2014. By all accounts he also has a great attitude and great mentality, and he is a leader. Bringing someone of that ilk in will impact the dressing room positively.
There is also likely to be very little cost in signing him. He has one year left on his contract at Brighton but a fee would be minimal, as would wage commitments.
United would do well to pursue a deal.
