Danny Welbeck has now dropped the ultimate compliment on a legendary former player who wanted Manchester United to bring him back to Old Trafford.
The 35-year-old experienced former Manchester United striker is in his first full season at Chelsea after the Blues signed him in the summer from Premier League side Brighton.
Danny Welbeck, who is an ex-United youth academy product, netted 14 times in 40 matches across all competitions for Brighton during a major resurgence in form.
The Chelsea summer signing’s career has been hindered by injury setbacks after he broke into the United first-team squad under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.
Chelsea striker Danny Welbeck’s praise for Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney speaks volumes now
Danny Welbeck has had an early impact in his debut season at Stamford Bridge after he netted three times in seven matches across all competitions for Chelsea. Before Chelsea added him to Xabi Alonso’s squad in August, Manchester United had been linked with Welbeck in the past amid their hunt for an alternative forward option in recent times.
Wayne Rooney shared the pitch with Welbeck when the former United talent was a youngster and was impressed with his impact at the Amex during the 2025-26 Premier League campaign. Speaking to the JoelBeyaTV YouTube channel, Welbeck was asked who was the best player that he played alongside in his entire career and he singled out former Man Utd captain Wayne Rooney.
“For me, Wazza, Wayne Rooney,” he said.
Welbeck was able to overcome his injury-plagued career last season and his run of form even led to calls for him to return to the England national team. Rooney, who is regarded as one of the best strikers of all time, even supported the idea of the Chelsea summer signing being called up for England under Thomas Tuchel and challenging for a place in the 2026 World Cup squad.
While Thomas Tuchel snubbed a potential Three Lions return for Welbeck, Rooney was very much open to the idea of the Red Devils bringing his former England and Man Utd teammate back to Old Trafford. Man Utd’s all-time leading scorer explained that Welbeck’s turnaround in form was a missed opportunity for the Red Devils to roll the dice with him for a potential transfer.
“I think over the last couple of years I would have really have liked to have him back,” he said on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show in 2025.
“I think now United are going a different way and have hopefully turned a corner.
“But I would have wanted him back over the last few years. He seems settled at Brighton, so I just hope he keeps scoring goals and hopefully gives himself the best chance possible to get back in the England squad.”
Welbeck was part of United’s last Premier League title-winning side under Sir Alex Ferguson before the legendary 84-year-old former Red Devils boss retired in 2013.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/flbOnK2