Ferdinand believes Manchester United should not let Welbeck go in 2014.
Welbeck came from the Carrington youth academy, but left the club during the summer of 2014 when Louis van Gaal was in charge. He moved to Arsenal and played there for five years before joining Watford in 2019. Welbeck moved to Brighton a year later and has been in fine form on the south coast.
Many fans believe that Van Gaal's sale of Welbeck ten years ago was a wrong decision, and Rio Ferdinand also holds the same view: "I think he should stay at Manchester United, I always tell him so. Of course, sometimes this is not his choice."
Ferdinand said of Welbeck in his latest YouTube video, "I think it was an absolute mistake for them to let him leave the club. He is a kid from Manchester, loves this club, is a good kid and has never caused trouble for the club. "He has a great personality and a great family, so why sell him?"
"If the new manager - I think it's Van Gaal - whoever comes says, 'You can leave,' you should answer, 'No, no, no, this matter is not within your control, you don't? Know the situation behind it, let us deal with it', and then keep him and let him play a role, this is the way Welbeck should be treated."
Interestingly, Manchester United considered re-signing Welbeck this summer, but ultimately the senior management decided to abandon this plan. Perhaps if United had a European commitment and needed an extra centre-forward, the situation would be different. Currently, they have enough depth at the position, including Sheshko, Zirkzee and Mbemo and Cunha who can play as forwards.
Despite this, it feels like United are lacking an experienced, old-school center as an option in the lineup, even if it's just to help the younger players develop. Welbeck could have played that role and maybe he shouldn't have been sold in the first place. But as a Manchester United fan, it's always nice to see the players you have developed succeed after leaving, especially when Welbeck is now in the best form of his career.