Danny Welbeck is set to face his former club Manchester United on Sunday with Brighton & Hove Albion, a reunion that brings back memories of his contentious departure in 2014. The striker, who came through United's academy, has revealed that Louis van Gaal's arrival and subsequent actions convinced him it was time to leave Old Trafford.
Welbeck had already grown frustrated under David Moyes, often being deployed on the left wing instead of his preferred central striker role. When Van Gaal took over in the summer of 2014, things did not improve. The England international was an unused substitute in the opening Premier League match against Swansea and only featured from the bench in draws with Sunderland and Burnley.
Reports emerged in August that Van Gaal had told Welbeck he could leave, though the manager remained cryptic in public. The final straw came when United signed Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco, a clear indication that Welbeck would be fourth choice behind Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and the Colombian. With the transfer deadline approaching, Welbeck joined Arsenal for £16 million.
Van Gaal later defended the sale, stating that Welbeck needed to play regularly, something United could not guarantee. However, former assistant Rene Meulensteen argued that Sir Alex Ferguson would never have allowed the local lad to leave. Welbeck's time at Arsenal was plagued by injuries, but he has rediscovered his best form at Brighton, scoring eight goals this season and averaging a goal every 140 minutes in the Premier League.
