'Efficient' Brighton star told he'd make 'huge difference' to Man Utd if he makes shock January move

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has urged his old club to sign Brighton and Hove Albion star Danny Welbeck in January as he believes the veteran forward could make a “huge difference” to results.

Welbeck came through the academy at United and recently celebrated his 35th birthday but is showing no signs of slowing down. He has scored seven times in 12 games for the Seagulls this term in the Premier League.

Only Erling Haaland and Brentford’s Igor Thiago have found the net more times in the Premier League this season and Saha believes that Welbeck’s influence on the club’s other strikers would also benefit United in the longer run.

Welbeck made 142 appearances for United, scoring 29 goals and providing 16 assists before joining Arsenal. He scored 32 goals and provided 13 assists in 126 games for the Gunners before joining Watford briefly and then moving to Brighton.

Danny Welbeck backed to make big difference at Man Utd

Speaking about the impact Welbeck could have, Saha said: “I would have loved United to sign Danny at the start of the season. He’s not just very talented, but he’s very efficient and he’s experienced.

“When I came to the club, there was [Ruud] Van Nistelrooy and [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer, but we had more than that. We had [Carlos] Tevez and Alan Smith, and there was depth, there was a variety. We all learned from each other.

“I think Sesko and other forward players would benefit by having someone like Welbeck to challenge them, to make them learn more about the game, more about positioning.”

He added: “Welbeck’s experience would give an example for them to all learn from, and I think if Danny arrives in the winter transfer window, he could make a huge difference to results on the pitch.”

Sesko is currently out injured but has struggled to make a huge impact since his summer move to United.

Could Danny Welbeck really be the answer for Man Utd?

It might seem like an outlandish suggestion for Saha to claim that Welbeck would make a huge difference if he made a shock return to United in January. However, he could be available for a bargain transfer fee as his contract with Brighton runs out in the summer.

He is of course not a long-term solution but an 18-month deal could see him make a difference for six months and share his experience with the club’s younger players. Amorim has kept veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton around for his influence on the dressing room and Welbeck could be signed to have a similar impact.

Welbeck is Premier League proven and if he maintains his form can add goals to United’s attack. The Red Devils have been strongly linked to Seagulls midfielder Carlos Baleba - but Welbeck could well be the man they need to add a few more goals and help them gain a top-four spot.