Manchester United considered trying to bring back one of their former players in their pursuit of attacking firepower this summer, according to reports.
United scored a paltry 44 goals in the Premier League last season, with both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim unable to get the Red Devils clicking in the final third.
Attacking reinforcements were, therefore, a priority in the summer window, with United moving swiftly to complete a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha.
Bryan Mbeumo was also keenly admired and, despite delays and several bids, United eventually managed to bring the Brentford forward to Old Trafford.
However, given the struggles of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee last term, United were particularly keen to bring in a new out-and-out striker to lead Amorim’s front line for the new season.
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Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap were both highly admired, but both strikers spurned interest from United to eventually sign for Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was also discussed as a potential option after being released by Everton, but United never made an official proposal to the former England international.
Ultimately, United ended up securing the signature of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, beating off interest from Newcastle United to sign the 22-year-old.
Prior to that, however, The Athletic reports that a move for former Red Devils star Danny Welbeck was being considered by the club.
Welbeck first joined United at the age of six and went on to make more than 100 appearances for the club in the latter stages of Sir Alex Ferguson’s long and successful reign.
Ex-Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal put Welbeck up for sale shortly after Fergie retired and he joined Premier League rivals Arsenal in a deal worth £16m.
And while Welbeck struggled with form and fitness at the Emirates Stadium, he has emerged as a key player for Brighton since joining in 2020, scoring ten leage goals last season for the first time in his career.
The report says that United were ready to offer the 34-year-old a two-year contract if they agreed a fee with Brighton and were hopeful he would bring ‘experience, technical quality, and heritage’ to the squad.
However, United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was said to have expressed reseverations about offering a two-year deal to a player of Welbeck’s age and, in the end, an offer was never formalised.
A potential move for Welbeck was also reportedly on the cards last summer when Teg Hag was still in charge, with the Dutchman said to be keen on signing the experienced forward.
However, once again, a move never materialised, in part due to the ongoing speculation over the summer regarding Ten Hag’s long-term future at the club
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