Wayne Rooney Reveals the Shocking Striker Manchester United Let Slip Away: 'I Love Him'
Wayne Rooney has revealed his desire to see Manchester United bring back Danny Welbeck during the club's search for striking reinforcements in recent seasons.
United made a significant investment in Rasmus Højlund during 2023 but have remained in pursuit of a dependable goalscorer ever since. Joshua Zirkzee arrived from Bologna in 2024, followed by this summer's expensive signing of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig.
Højlund has since moved out on loan while Zirkzee is anticipated to depart in January after struggling to meet expectations at Old Trafford. In contrast, Welbeck has maintained consistent productivity with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Having overcome previous fitness issues, Welbeck achieved 10 Premier League strikes for Brighton in 2024–25—his highest seasonal return—and has begun 2025–26 with six goals in 10 league appearances already. He will celebrate his 35th birthday later this month.
United remained well aware of their former youth product's performances. According to The Athletic, Welbeck emerged as a potential target during summer 2024, with interest primarily championed by then-manager Erik ten Hag. No formal approach materialized as the club hesitated to back the Dutchman's preferences while his position remained uncertain. Welbeck subsequently penned a fresh two-year Brighton contract, leaving Rooney feeling let down.
"I'm buzzing, he's been absolutely brilliant," Rooney commented on his BBC podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.
"I genuinely adore Daniel, absolutely love the guy," the former United skipper expressed about his former teammate—Rooney witnessed teenage Welbeck's breakthrough into the senior squad in 2008 and partnered with him for five complete campaigns before his unexpected 2014 move to Arsenal.
"He's proven himself as an excellent Premier League performer. Manchester United should have secured his return because he finds the net and puts in the effort," Rooney elaborated.
"Looking back over recent seasons, I genuinely would have welcomed his comeback. I believe United are now pursuing a different direction and have hopefully made progress. However, I would have supported his return during those previous years. He appears content at Brighton, so I simply wish for his continued goalscoring success and hope he maximizes his chances of earning an England recall."
Man Utd's Attacking Improvement
United's offensive struggles were painfully evident in 2024–25, with Højlund beginning the campaign sidelined after an encouraging inaugural season and subsequently losing confidence. Zirkzee netted a debut winner in the Premier League but required adjustment time, while limited striking options meant goal shortage became the key reason behind their poorest league campaign in 51 years.
The club addressed these concerns heading into this season, investing over £200 million ($262.7 million) collectively on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Šeško, who have combined for 10 goals and assists across all competitions thus far. Mbeumo leads the team's scoring charts with five strikes (four in league play) and aims to become United's first player to reach 20 league goals since Robin van Persie in 2012–13.