Michael Carrick spoke highly of former teammate and Brighton striker Danny Welbeck ahead of Manchester United’s final game of the season.
Ex-Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck spent over a decade at the club, from graduating from the academy to winning the Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Welbeck was a favourite among United fans, but Louis van Gaal controversially opted to sell the forward to Arsenal in 2014.
The England international spent five years at Arsenal before joining Watford. He has been at Brighton for almost six years and is one of the most experienced players in Fabian Hurzeler’s squad.
Michael Carrick has huge respect for Danny Welbeck
Michael Carrick was appointed permanent head coach at United this week, after five months in the role on an interim basis.
The 44-year-old spoke to the press on Thursday ahead of United’s final game of the season against Brighton.
United have already secured third place, but Brighton are still pushing for a Champions League spot, so Hurzeler’s side will be determined to pick up three points.
In facing Brighton, Carrick was asked about Welbeck, after spending years as a senior teammate to the 35-year-old striker at Old Trafford.
Welbeck’s strike in Brighton’s 2-1 win over United in the FA Cup third round earlier this season was his eighth career goal in all competitions against United. That’s his joint best record against any opposition.
“I’m delighted for him,” Carrick told reporters.
“He’s scored against us too many times. Being here, knowing him from so young, he’s fantastic. I still call him my lad. He’s an old man now, but it makes me feel old, the fact that he’s that age. But huge respect for him.
“I think it’s terrific coming through here, through the academy, and then made a massive impact. For him to go on and have the career he’s had and still be playing so well at the age he is, just shows how his mindset, his mentality, his attitude, all those things enable you to play to 35. He deserves a lot of credit for that, and I’m really delighted, genuinely, to see him doing so well.”
Other players with impressive records against their former clubs include former United strikers Andy Cole (11 vs Newcastle) and Louis Saha (6 vs Fulham; 6 vs Newcastle).
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Michael Carrick recalls when Danny Welbeck came through Manchester United’s academy
- Carrick says Welbeck deserves a lot of credit for enabling himself to play at the highest level aged 35
- The United head coach says Welbeck has scored too many goals against the Red Devils
Danny Welbeck set for Premier League milestone
Hurzeler has hinted that Welbeck could be involved against United on Sunday.
That means Welbeck is set to make his 400th Premier League appearance against the club he made his first top-flight appearance for.
“I think it’s a sign of his professionalism, for how hard he works, for his daily work ethic,” Hurzeler told reporters.
“And I’m really happy for Danny, for his season. Let’s wait until Friday and hopefully he will be announced for the England squad. And I think he will, so he gets the rewards he deserves because of his achievements this season. And therefore hopefully he can do it another time for us on Sunday.”
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