Danny Welbeck's move to Arsenal was a sad day for Manchester United, says Darren Fletcher

Welbeck scores for Arsenal against Manchester United in the 2015 FA Cup quarter-final
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James Benge31 March 2017

Local boy Danny Welbeck’s move to Arsenal was a “sad day for Manchester United”, according to former Red Devil Darren Fletcher.

Welbeck joined Arsene Wenger’s side on deadline day in 2014 for £16million as then-manager Louis van Gaal made room for loan import Radamel Falcao, who would go on to score just four goals in 29 appearances.

A product of United’s youth system, Manchester-born Welbeck’s departure was much mourned by many supporters at the time and the 26-year-old would come back to haunt his former club, scoring the winning goal for Arsenal in a 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at Old Trafford.

Fletcher was another United stalwart to be cleared out by Van Gaal and the West Brom captain believes his former manager was rash to let go of Welbeck.

“Lots of players who left under Van Gaal should still be there, in my view,” Fletcher told ESPN FC.

“That’s not me having a go at anyone, but the day Danny Welbeck was sold to Arsenal was a sad day.

“He’s what a Manchester United player should be about - a local lad, young, great player, team player, somebody who sacrificed himself for the greater good of the team, loved by his team-mates.

“He was on the brink of becoming a top, top player and he would have been a top player for United.”

Injuries have dramatically curtailed Welbeck’s progress at Arsenal, with two serious knee injuries limiting the striker to just 22 appearances in the last two seasons.

In Pictures | West Brom vs Arsenal | 18/03/2017

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However Welbeck has consistently proven himself to be an important contributor for Arsenal, weighing in with crucial goals against the likes of Leicester City and Southampton.

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