Danny Welbeck proves Rio Ferdinand right as wild Manchester United goal stat emerges

Danny Welbeck has helped validate Rio Ferdinand’s claim that Manchester United should never have sold him.

The former Red Devils striker returned to Old Trafford on Saturday as Brighton faced Erik ten Hag’s side, coming in for the injured Evan Ferguson.

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Welbeck netted in front of the home fansCredit: Getty

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Firing home Simon Adingra’s crossCredit: PREMIER LEAGUE

But the 32-year-old proved he’s still got what it takes to lead the line for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, scoring the opening goal to put his Brighton 1-0 up against the run of play.

He’s now scored against Man United under the reigns of Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Jose Mourinho and Louis van Gaal and for them under David Moyes and Sir Alex Ferguson.

“What a brilliant breakaway goal,” talkSPORT’s commentator for the game and ex-Arsenal star Perry Groves said live from Old Trafford. “It started with [Jason] Steele, made their way up the right.

“[Adam] Lallana dummies it and it comes to Welbeck and that’s a really cool finish. That is such a fantastic team goal of the highest quality.” 

Man United fans behind the goal had their head in their hands as they watched their former striker score, and they may be well be thinking of their former defender Ferdinand’s take that the Red Devils missed a trick not keeping hold of him.

“Danny Welbeck would have started today for Man United,” Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast after the defeat to Brighton last season.

“Welbeck walked out of that tunnel, shoulders back, chest out, and you could see he was thinking he would terrorise that team. That’s how he played today.

‘He looked like primetime Danny Welbeck at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid.’

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Ferdinand believed Welbeck would still play for Man UnitedCredit: Getty

When asked if he would have taken Welbeck at United this season, Ferdinand replied: “On today’s performance, no doubt.  If you wanted a back-up striker you wouldn’t go wrong with Danny Welbeck.

“You tell him he’ll play 15-20 games across the season, fill in for Cristiano [Ronaldo], give us the legs and give us the movement.

“He can get in behind and creates the space for the likes of Bruno [Fernandes].”

The 32-year-old forward started his career at Old Trafford, scoring 29 goals in 142 games for the Red Devils from 2008-2014.

Meanwhile, Man United’s new striker Rasmus Hojlund is making his full debut for the home side.

The 20-year-old saw a header sail over the bar before Welbeck found the back of the net and had what he thought was the equaliser chalked out by VAR.

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