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Manchester United seriously considered re-signing Premier League striker after Erik ten Hag suggestion
Manchester United signed a new striker over the summer but Erik ten Hag actually missed out on one of his top attacking targets.
Manchester United simply had to bring in another striker over the summer.
Rasmus Hojlund showed some potential last season but certainly needed more help in the final third.
Anthony Martial joined AEK Athens after leaving United and the path was clear for a new forward to arrive.
United chose to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna but the Dutchman has only scored one Premier League goal so far this season.
Zirkzee has yet to really justify his summer arrival and some may question the logic of signing another relatively young forward.
Erik ten Hag wanted to re-sign former Manchester United striker
Zirkzee is only 23 and there is a big difference between leading the line for Bologna and being relied upon by United.
Adding more experience around Hojlund would made sense and Erik ten Hag is understood to have missed out on a potential signing.
The Athletic claim that Ten Hag wanted to bring Danny Welbeck back to Old Trafford, feeling that he would be an ‘excellent addition’.
Welbeck is understood to have been discussed inside United as a serious target to replace Martial.
Ten Hag was pushing for Welbeck’s return and United felt that Welbeck would have been a real positive inside the dressing room.
United failed to make an offer to Welbeck though, leaving the 33-year-old to stay with Brighton rather than make an emotional comeback.
Welbeck hails from Longsight and spent more than a decade in the United ranks before being sold to Arsenal under Louis van Gaal in 2014.
Welbeck scored 29 times in 142 games for United and his experience around Hojlund could have been a major asset for Ten Hag – but it just wasn’t to be.
Danny Welbeck in top form this season
United have sacked Ten Hag this week and he may point to missing out on signings such as Welbeck, who can offer a proven Premier League record.
Ten Hag will certainly be frustrated having seen Welbeck impress this season.
Welbeck scored against United back in August, helping Brighton secure a 2-1 win over the Red Devils.
Premier League minutes played this season | Premier League goals | |
Rasmus Hojlund | 259 | 1 |
Joshua Zirkzee | 410 | 1 |
Danny Welbeck | 754 | 6 |
Welbeck has now bagged six goals in nine games this season and only four Premier League players have scored more goals this season.
Gary Neville feels United should never have sold Welbeck but there is an argument to be made that Welbeck wouldn’t be the player he is now without leaving Old Trafford.
A return was seemingly in Ten Hag’s plans over the summer but it just wasn’t to be – and with Welbeck’s 34th birthday around the corner, the chance may not materialise again.
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