Sir Alex Ferguson, the iconic former manager of Manchester United, recently reconnected with a former player who departed the club over ten years ago. Ferguson, who managed United for over two decades, left an indelible mark on the team’s history by leading them to unparalleled success. Under his leadership, the Red Devils secured 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, and numerous other domestic and international honors. However, since his retirement in 2013, multiple managers have struggled to restore the club’s dominance and replicate the heights achieved under his reign.
One of the players who left Manchester United following Ferguson’s retirement was striker Danny Welbeck. In 2014, the club decided to sell Welbeck to Arsenal for a reported fee of £16 million. This transfer sparked significant debate among fans and football pundits, as many questioned whether it was the right decision to offload a talented academy graduate to a direct Premier League rival. At the time, the move was made under the management of Louis van Gaal, who had taken over after the brief and unsuccessful tenure of David Moyes.
Rene Meulensteen, who had worked closely with Ferguson as his assistant, was among those who weighed in on the decision to sell Welbeck. When asked whether Ferguson would have approved such a move, Meulensteen was clear in his response—he strongly believed that Ferguson would not have sanctioned the transfer. Meulensteen’s reasoning was likely based on Ferguson’s long-standing commitment to developing homegrown talent and his trust in players who had risen through the club’s ranks. Welbeck, who had been with United since his youth, embodied the type of player Ferguson often nurtured—hardworking, dedicated, and willing to give his all for the team.
During his time at Manchester United, Welbeck had shown great promise, contributing to the team’s attacking force with his versatility, pace, and ability to score crucial goals. Ferguson had often spoken highly of him, and under his management, Welbeck was given multiple opportunities to shine on the big stage. His departure to Arsenal was seen by some as a sign of United losing their identity, as the club moved away from its tradition of fostering young talent and instead focused more on high-profile signings.
Ultimately, the sale of Welbeck remains one of many controversial decisions made by Manchester United in the post-Ferguson era. While it is impossible to say for certain how Ferguson would have handled the situation had he still been in charge, Meulensteen’s assertion underscores the idea that Ferguson had a distinct philosophy when it came to managing the squad—one that prioritized loyalty, development, and long-term vision over short-term gains.
