Fraizer Campbell believes that Manchester United missed a trick by not re-signing Danny Welbeck before his move to Chelsea this summer.
Welbeck enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career last time out, netting 13 times in the Premier League to help fire Brighton back into Europe.
But that form also saw bigger clubs calling, with Chelsea snapping up the 35-year-old for £5million to add some much-needed experience to their squad.
Welbeck has already shown his value in Xabi Alonso’s side, scoring three goals in his two starts in the Carabao Cup to help fire the Blues past Luton Town and Leeds United.
The Englishman has had an up and down career path since leaving his boyhood club United for Arsenal in 2014.
But former Premier League striker Campbell can’t understand why United didn’t try to bring Welbeck back to Old Trafford this summer, particularly with Michael Carrick’s side desperate for an experienced alternative to Benjamin Sesko.
‘For me, 100% Man Utd should’ve signed Danny Welbeck,’ Campbell told Boyle Sports.
‘One thing I’ve always said over the last 10 years at United is that, looking back at my time there, there were always some experienced forwards who knew the league and knew where the net was.
‘So when it got to a pressure point for the young boys, those senior players could deal with the pressure, take all the flak, and score the goals, allowing the young lads to progress with less stress and pressure.
‘It’s high pressure at Man United, and if you’re that number nine, the team expects you to score 20-plus goals. If you’re not hitting those numbers, you’re getting questioned.’
‘So for me, having someone like Welbeck in the squad would have been fantastic because it takes that pressure off Benjamin Sesko and gives you some competition.
‘Danny did really well last season, and even though he’s older now, he’s experienced and a local lad from Manchester. It would have been perfect, but it didn’t happen for whatever reason, and you’ve just got to carry on.’
Speaking earlier this summer, United legend Gary Neville shared similar views, insisting his former side should never have sold Welbeck in the first place.
‘I said ten years ago that Manchester United should never have sold Danny Welbeck. He’s gone away and done brilliantly well,’ Neville told Sky Sports.
‘He’s coming into a little cameo at the end of his career but he’s a fantastic player.
‘I worked with him obviously as a team-mate, I worked with him with England as a coach and he was fantastic for England. And he’s been good in the Premier League as well.
‘It’s a good move for Chelsea and it gives them a real option up front.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.