Former Premier League striker Fraizer Campbell has said that Manchester United missed a significant opportunity by not re-signing Danny Welbeck before his move to Chelsea this summer. Campbell believes Welbeck's experience and leadership would have been invaluable to Michael Carrick's squad, especially as an alternative to Benjamin Sesko.
Welbeck's standout season and Chelsea move
Welbeck enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career last season, netting 13 times in the Premier League to help Brighton secure a return to European competition. That form attracted interest from bigger clubs, with Chelsea securing the 35-year-old for £5 million to add much-needed experience to their squad.
Since joining Xabi Alonso's side, Welbeck has already demonstrated his value, scoring three goals in two Carabao Cup starts to help Chelsea past Luton Town and Leeds United. His early contributions highlight the quality he brings, a point Campbell emphasizes in his assessment.
Campbell's case for Welbeck at Old Trafford
Speaking to Boyle Sports, Campbell expressed his belief that United should have moved for Welbeck, particularly given the pressure on young players like Sesko. 'For me, 100% Man Utd should've signed Danny Welbeck,' Campbell said. '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.'
Campbell elaborated on the importance of experienced players in high-pressure environments, noting that senior forwards can shield younger teammates from criticism. '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,' he added.
Pressure on United's number nine
Campbell highlighted the intense scrutiny that comes with being United's number nine, a role that demands consistent goal output. '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,' he said.
He argued that Welbeck's presence would have alleviated that burden on Sesko while providing healthy competition. '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,' Campbell explained. '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.'
Neville echoes similar sentiments
Campbell is not alone in his view. Earlier this summer, former United captain Gary Neville shared similar thoughts, insisting that the club 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.
Neville praised Welbeck's career and his potential impact at Chelsea, saying, '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.'
Welbeck's move to Chelsea has provided the Blues with a reliable attacking option, while United continue to rely on Sesko as their primary striker, a decision that Campbell and Neville both question.
