Manchester United got to see Carlos Baleba up close one final time this season, but coach Steve Holland’s priority was someone else.
Three goals, from Bryan Mbeumo, Patrick Dorgu and Bruno Fernandes, ensured that Man Utd finish the Premier League season in style with a 3-0 win over Brighton.
Fernandes broke the Premier League assist record to complete his season, and Carlos Baleba tried his best to get United to sign him in the summer.
Despite so many developments, coach Steve Holland’s attention was on another Brighton player entirely.
Steve Holland chats up Danny Welbeck
Whenever Brighton face Man Utd, one thing always seems to happen, which is Danny Welbeck on the scoresheet against his former club.
Welbeck has a habit of coming back to haunt his former club, but there were no such heroics this time around.
However, with United looking for an “experienced striker” in the summer to serve as Benjamin Sesko’s backup, it was interesting to see Holland at full-time.
He made a beeline straight towards Welbeck, put an arm around his shoulders, and was engaged in a deep conversation with the forward for a good few seconds.
Of course, it is impossible to speculate what he was saying, but even with Welbeck’s contract extension, it’s hard to see how that deal doesn’t get done if there’s a will on both sides.
He fulfills the homegrown quota for Europe and England, will be happy to play as a squad option, knows the club inside out, and hasn’t shown signs of decline.
Welbeck signing will be an opportunity instead of priority
Having said all of the above regarding Welbeck, it still goes without saying that he will be far from a marquee target for United.
He remains an opportunity to be explored late on once United get their house in order for the midfield.
If Brighton are prepared to play ball, then United can do this deal, but only on their terms, because his contract extension makes things trickier.
He’d be an ideal opportunistic signing, but he’s an opportunity nonetheless. Holland chatting him up after the game hopefully greases the wheels a bit.
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