Wayne Rooney feels that Manchester United missed out on the opportunity to bring in a former Red Devils striker who has qualities that match Ruben Amorim’s system.
The 40-year-old legendary former Manchester United and England striker sat down for the latest episode of his BBC Sport-hosted podcast, ‘The Wayne Rooney Show.’
Wayne Rooney also touched on United’s next match against Spurs on Saturday afternoon, with the Red Devils travelling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Red Devils were in Premier League action on the weekend and United’s encounter with Nottingham Forest ended in a 2-2 draw at City Ground.
United led Nottingham Forest in the first half before blowing a 1-0 advantage early in the second half, with Amad Diallo later rescuing his side with a superb equaliser.
Ruben Amorim was unable to make it four Premier League wins in four matches and the Red Devils have now slid to eighth place in the table ahead of the Spurs tie.
Wayne Rooney’s verdict on former Man Utd striker Danny Welbeck should speak volumes for Ruben Amorim
Wayne Rooney was still at Old Trafford when Danny Welbeck climbed through the ranks of the Manchester United youth academy and into the Red Devils first team.
Danny Welbeck was tipped as a long-term prospect at the Premier League club after his emergence under legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 34-year-old ex-United striker left Old Trafford in 2014 and signed for Arsenal after he struggled to establish himself in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era of the club.
Welbeck’s career has been curtailed by injuries, but the former Gunners and Red Devils star has seen a turn in fortunes with current side Brighton this season.
Rooney has now insisted that he felt that the Red Devils missed their chance to roll the dice with Welbeck by bringing his former teammate back to Old Trafford.
“I think over the last couple of years, I would have really liked to have seen him back,” he said on his podcast.
“I think now United have, obviously, [been] going in a different way and, hopefully, turned the corner.
“But yeah, over the last couple of years, I would have liked to have seen him back.
“And you know, he seems really settled at Brighton. He’s doing well. He’s scoring goals.
“So, I just hope he continues that and gives himself the best chance of trying to get back on the England squad.”
Wayne Rooney highlights qualities from Danny Welbeck that would have suited Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd tactical system
Danny Welbeck has been in a rich vein of form in the 2025-26 Premier League season so far and the ex-Red Devils talent has caught the eye with his displays.
The former England international has netted an impressive six times from his opening 10 Premier League matches with Brighton in the current campaign.
Rooney has recalled his experience of playing alongside Welbeck and singled out the former Arsenal striker’s key qualities, including his aggression and his high pressing.
“He was brilliant, such a lovely person,” he said, as per BBC Sport.
“When he played, he pressed really high, he was aggressive, he was quick to get to the ball, really clever, good feet and he scored goals.”
Rooney added: “I do have to say the best thing about Daniel is his mother used to bring me chicken and rice every Thursday.
“It was so nice. I used to always look forward to that.”
Welbeck left Watford in 2020 and the Brighton striker signed for the Seagulls on a free transfer, with the ex-United star currently in the final 12 months of his contract.
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