Wayne Rooney admits he wants former Man United team-mate Danny Welbeck BACK at Old Trafford… after Erik ten Hag’s failed summer swoop for the in-form Brighton veteran

Wayne Rooney has admitted he would prefer Danny Welbeck returning to Manchester United after the 34-year-old striker starred in Brighton’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.

The Englishman scored a crucial winner in the 114th minute after the game went to extra time with 1-1 on the scoresheets.

Welbeck was not featured in the starting lineup as Brighton played with Joao Pedro in the role of the only striker but replaced Georginio Rutter in the 80th minute.

The clash at St James’ Park also saw Yankuba Minteh scoring against his former club as the winger made amends for his mistake, which led to Alexander Isak’s opening goal in the middle of the first half.

Rooney’s comments came after previously former United manager Erik ten Hag was keen to sign the English forward over the summer of 2024, despite completing the transfer of Joshua Zirkzee in addition to another team’s striker, Rasmus Hojlund.

‘Danny, he’s great to play alongside and if I’m being completely honest, I’d would probably still like to see him here playing for Manchester United,’ said the Red Devils’ icon during BBC Match of the Day.

His comments came after the 34-year-old striker scored Brighton’s winner against Newcastle in the FA Cup in the 114th minute

‘He scored goals throughout his career, had injuries in early part of his career, but seems to have got over them and he’s having a fantastic season.’

Despite the arrival of a new manager at the American Express Stadium, Welbeck still remains a crucial player in Brighton’s starting lineup.

The 34-year-old started on 17 occasions out of 20 games while managing to score seven goals and provide four assists in the Premier League.

Just two weeks ago, Welbeck played a huge part in Brighton’s domination over Chelsea in the 3-0 clash at home, delivering two assists within his 84 minutes on the pitch.

Earlier, former Man United star Gary Neville insisted the striker would be a perfect addition to the Red Devils’ squad amid their struggles throughout his season.

‘He was let go too quickly at United,’ Neville said on Sky Sports.

‘If you think about Louis van Gaal, his style of play is very precise, now Danny Welbeck wasn’t precise in his game back then, so he (Van Gaal) just let him go. He didn’t fancy him at all.

‘But he’s actually perfect for how Manchester United should play. Threatening space in behind, playing off front players. This idea that he’s not good enough for Manchester United is absolutely rubbish.

Rooney and Welbeck spent 104 games in the Red Devils’ shirt and gained 5,729 minutes on the pitch together

In 2014, Welbeck joined Arsenal in a deal worth £16million and scored 32 goals in 126 appearances for the Gunners

‘He’s good enough to be in a pool of three or four strikers at United. For instance, Liverpool have three, four, five forward players across their forward line. They’re all of differing abilities and different types. ‘

The Longsight-born player joined United’s youth system at the age of 11, winning two Premier League trophies under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

In 2014, he was signed by Arsenal in a deal worth £16million, due to Radamel Falcao’s arrival at Old Trafford.

However, none of them could deliver a strong performance for their new teams.

Welbeck ended up in Brighton after a loan spell in Watford in 2019-20, and has since enjoyed a fresh and successful start for the Seagulls.

Rooney has praised his former team-mate after they spent 104 games and gained 5,729 minutes on the pitch together.