It has been a really poor season for Manchester United. The Red Devils are fighting hard to even finish in the top half of the Premier League table, and are surely set for their lowest-ever finish since its inception in the 1992/93 campaign.
Should Ruben Amorim’s side finish outside of the top ten, it will be the first time that has happened since 1988/89, when they finished 11th in the first division. Their lowest Premier League finish came last term, under Erik ten Hag, when the 13-time Premier League champions finished eighth.
They could certainly do with some inspiration this season to drag themselves up the league. Perhaps they wish some of their former players performing well in the Premier League could be on hand to help.
Former United players who are shining this season
One of the former United players who is standing out in the top flight this term is winger Anthony Elanga. He is now into his second season at Nottingham Forest and is thriving in a side managed superbly by Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Sweden international has been an assist machine in Garibaldi Red this term. In 26 appearances in the top flight this campaign, Elanga has three goals and eight assists, including three in a single game in the 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion.
Another player who United could have done with this season is Aaron Wan-Bissaka. They have really struggled for depth at wing-back, with the likes of Luke Shaw facing large spells on the sidelines.
Wan-Bissaka, who made the move to West Ham United over the summer, is renowned for his defensive ability, and Jamie Carragher once said no player “can get the better of him” in a one-vs-one scenario.
However, he has also scored two and assisted two for the Hammers this term, including a brilliant assist in their 1-0 win away to Arsenal last weekend.
Perhaps Amorim wishes he had the likes of Elanga and Wan-Bissaka in his squad now. However, in a team short of goals, there is a former United player who could have been incredibly useful.
The former United star who they need this season
No matter how well United are playing, there will always be plenty of pride in their academy. Well, one of the most underrated academy stars they have produced over the years is Danny Welbeck.
Now playing on the South Coast for Brighton, the Red Devils could certainly do with the goals of their former number 19. In 2024/25, Welbeck has been in impressive form.
He has scored seven goals and registered four assists in 20 Premier League games. One of those goals came against his former side on the second day of the season.
Welbeck, who hails from Manchester, was very well regarded by one of the most important people in United’s history, Sir Alex Ferguson.
Way back in 2013, the legendary Red Devils manager described his former striker as a “marvellous” player. He scored 29 goals and registered 16 assists in 142 games for his boyhood club.
|
Welbeck record by season for Man Utd |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Games |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2008/09 |
13 |
3 |
2 |
|
2009/10 |
11 |
2 |
1 |
|
2011/12 |
39 |
12 |
5 |
|
2012/13 |
40 |
2 |
5 |
|
2013/14 |
36 |
10 |
3 |
|
2014/15 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stats from Transfermarkt |
|||
Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst was full of praise for Welbeck’s performances this season, following his latest strike in the 2-1 win over high-flying Bournemouth.
He explained on X that the Seagulls attacker would be deserving of a spot “in Tuchel’s England squad” for the March internationals, having been “playing the best football of what has already been a great career”.
Oh, how United must wish Welbeck – who Ten Hag was reportedly keen to re-sign last summer – still donned that famous Red shirt today.
He could have made a huge difference for Amorim’s side, who are battling hard to save the club from finishing in their worst league position since the 1980s.
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