Iconic former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson read the room better than anyone else when it came to the ‘true’ potential of one ex-Red Devils talent.
Sir Alex Ferguson was in the tail end of his legendary Manchester United managerial career when the Scotsman was tested over a potential transfer from Sunderland.
However, the 83-year-old legendary Scot was all about the long-term success of the Red Devils and Ferguson was unwilling to let Sunderland acquire a prized talent.
Ferguson was at risk of losing former Liverpool striker Michael Owen at the end of the 2010-11 season, but the Ballon d’Or winner later signed a contract extension.
Steve Bruce was in charge at Sunderland at the time and the United legend was on the hunt for a new attacker to replace Darren Bent, who had signed for Aston Villa.
What Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson said about Brighton striker Danny Welbeck says it all
Danny Welbeck’s emergence at the Premier League club came under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson, who deeply admired the former Manchester United striker.
A United youth academy product, the 34-year-old former Red Devils talent climbed into the first team and appeared destined for a long-term future at Old Trafford.
Danny Welbeck’s early rise at United was enough to make him a reported transfer target for former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce in the 2011 January window.
However, former United manager Ferguson sent a message that was loud and clear to ex-Red Devils defender Bruce and Sunderland over his feelings towards Welbeck.
“Steve has as much chance of getting me [than Welbeck],” Ferguson told Key 103 – now Hits Radio Manchester – in 2011, as per the Independent.
“It is unfortunate [that] Danny will be out for six weeks because he was playing so well.
“He has shown fantastic form and he is only 20. He has a long way to go yet but the signs are good for him.”
Danny Welbeck’s resurgence at Brighton is all the proof that Man Utd legend Sir Alex Ferguson needed about his claim
Danny Welbeck’s career at United ended in 2014 after he struggled to become a regular under David Moyes in the first season after Ferguson’s retirement.
The former United striker would sign for Premier League rivals Arsenal, only for Welbeck to endure a stop-start spell at the Gunners due to injuries.
Welbeck’s up-and-down career took him to Watford for a brief spell after his exit from Arsenal in 2019, with his run at the Hornets lasting only until 2020.
It would ultimately be Brighton who would roll the dice with the former Watford and Arsenal forward after he became a free agent and he is now paying back the faith.
Welbeck has the spotlight well and truly on him, with the ex-England international netting six times in his opening 10 Premier League matches this season.
There is still a long way left for Welbeck to show consistency after an injury-hit career, but there is already noise around him to return to the England national team.
Welbeck’s resurgence at Brighton should be a reminder that Ferguson saw the “signs” of potential in him and injuries held back his ‘true’ potential for so long.
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