Man United close in on unexpected January return for former star

Vishal Bhawani

•
Man United close in on unexpected January return for former star image

Manchester United may be set for a reunion with a familiar face.

Reports (via FootballTransfers) in England claim the club have agreed personal terms with Brighton striker Danny Welbeck ahead of a possible January deal.

The 34-year-old came through the United academy and played over 140 games for the Red Devils before moving to Arsenal in 2014.

Now, more than a decade later, the forward could be heading back to Old Trafford as Ruben Amorim looks to add depth to his attacking options.

Welbeck, who will be out of contract at Brighton next summer, was apparently on United’s radar in the final days of the summer window.

But the move collapsed as the Seagulls couldn’t bring in a replacement in time. With Brighton open to selling in January, the door is wide open for a sensational return.

📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

Should Man United really re-sign Danny Welbeck?

Getty Images

At first glance, bringing back a 34-year-old may sound like United are turning back the clock rather than moving forward.

But Welbeck offers something the current squad lacks — experience in the Premier League and the know-how of playing under pressure at Old Trafford.

With Rasmus Hojlund gone to Napoli and Matheus Cunha sidelined through injury, United are short in attack. However, Cunha will be back soon as per the recent reports but Amorim is looking to strengthening the United bench.

That leaves Benjamin Sesko and teenager Chido Obi as the only senior options. For a team fighting on several fronts, that looks risky.

Welbeck scored 10 Premier League goals last season for Brighton, his best return in the competition. His ability to link play and create space could be valuable for a United side still finding fluency.

While he may not be the long-term answer, as a short-term fix, it looks a move that makes sense and that too who is available for free.

Manchester United news and related links

Vishal Bhawani

Vishal Bhawani is a sub-editor for the Affiliate Content team and a writer and sub-editor for the Football Wires team at The Sporting News. Based in Indore, India, he holds a Diploma in Operations and Management from Maharashtra University.

Before joining TSN in May 2024, Vishal contributed to Football Express and Six Sports and ran his own blog, Anfield Home, as a passionate Liverpool fan. An avid traveler, he follows multiple sports, including cricket, soccer, and tennis.