Danny Welbeck started his footballing career with Manchester United, but nobody could predict where he’d be firing in goals at the ripe age of 34
Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s
10:00, 09 Nov 2025
Danny Welbeck swapped Manchester for north London in 2014(Image: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Danny Welbeck left Manchester United after nearly a decade to join rivals Arsenal and is now a prolific goal scorer for Brighton. The English striker never could’ve predicted the twists and turns his career has taken since his senior professional debut in 2008.
Welbeck was handed his first start by Sir Alex Ferguson against Middlesbrough in the League Cup and made the majority of his United appearances under the iconic manager. The Red Devils academy star played 142 games for his boyhood club, scoring 29 goals, but appearances declined when Louis van Gaal arrived in 2014.
Welbeck made 33 appearances for David Moyes during his time as manager, but played just three times for Van Gaal out of position, prompting him to seek a new challenge elsewhere. Arsenal made the move on the final day of the summer transfer window and secured Welbeck’s signature for £16million.
This transfer was a bittersweet moment for the striker, who had been at Old Trafford since the age of eight, but it was a decision that felt necessary. Discussing the reason he left United, Welbeck said: “At the time I was playing on the left-wing a lot and in a 4-4-2, which is very difficult for me because I can’t make an impact on the game.
“I can play it to the best of my ability but that’s not best for the team, and I could make a bigger impact playing in my preferred position.
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“You start to have thoughts but at that time you’re still going to training and I was still giving 100 per cent and giving my all in every single game – that’s just me, I’m not going to change that. But you do start to think about what’s best for you.”
The centre forward made 126 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 32 goals – three of which came against his old club in Manchester. Welbeck won two FA Cups with the north London side, working under Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery before being released in 2019.
Watford signed Welbeck on a free transfer that summer, and he scored three goals in 20 appearances before leaving the club just one year later. However, in 2020, a new club came calling in the form of Brighton, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Now Welbeck is a goal machine for Brighton(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Welbeck is still starring for the Seagulls to this day, scoring six goals in the Premier League already this season. So far, the 34-year-old has made 173 appearances for Brighton, netting 43 goals and assisting 17 times – far surpassing his tallies at United, Arsenal and Watford.
Many wouldn’t be able to predict Welbeck’s resurgence at the Premier League side, given their typical transfer model that targets young and unproven stars. The veteran striker will be glad that the Seagulls took a chance on him five years ago, as he continues to shine in both domestic and European competition, 17 years on from his debut.
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