Ruben Amorim advised to re-sign same ex-Man Utd star that Erik ten Hag wanted before sack

Former Manchester United star Lee Sharpe has explained that Ruben Amorim should work tirelessly to sign a former Red Devils star who Erik ten Hag was headhunting before his sacking at Old Trafford

Lee Sharpe says that Ruben Amorim should welcome Danny Welbeck back to Old Trafford with open arms.

The 34-year-old emerged from the youth ranks of Manchester United in 2008, going on to score 29 goals in 142 appearances either side of successful loan spells to Preston North End and Sunderland. However, the Englishman - who has been capped 42 times for his country - was sold to Arsenal in 2014 for a reported £16million in hope of more game time under Arsene Wenger.

Welbeck found the back of the net 32 times in 126 appearances for the Gunners before making the move to Watford in 2019. The striker only spent a solemn year at Vicarage Road before Brighton and Hove Albion snapped him up on a free transfer in 2020 – a team which Welbeck has impressed with sincerely.

Under Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler, Welbeck has scored 32 goals in 139 appearances – proving that he's still got it in the locker despite being in his footballing twilight years, with six of his goals having come this season. And now, United legend Sharpe has urged new United boss Amorim that he should work to secure Welbeck's services in the January transfer window to provide support for Rasmus Hojlund.

Speaking to Racing Tipster, Sharpe said: "Manchester United could look at someone like Danny Welbeck in January. I know he’s been at the club before, but he’s doing brilliant things at Brighton this season and looks a really assured and mature player at the moment.

"He’s working his socks off, creating and scoring goals, and he looks like he’s in his prime down there at the AMEX Stadium. That’s the type of striker I’m thinking of that is bright enough and strong enough to have a really good effect in the Premier League.

"I think Rasmus Hojlund will come good eventually, but he’s still a bit raw and still needs a little but more composure, so the club probably need a bit of extra back-up."

While 21-year-old Hojlund has impressed in a United shirt since arriving from Atalanta in the summer of 2023, the youngster looks far from the finished product the Red Devils are in desperate need of. The side are lacking a complete goalscoring threat as they languish in 12th, with four wins, draws and losses a-piece from their opening 12 league games.

While Erik ten Hag brought in Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in a £36.5m deal over the summer, is is reported that the former United boss was also looking to add a second seasoned striker to his squad to give a bit of depth. The Athletic report that he thought Welbeck fit the bill perfectly, and included him in his recruitment talks.

However, an INEOS-backed United failed to put a solid offer on the table, and Welbeck is tied down to the AMEX Stadium now until at least 2026. Ten Hag was subsequently shown the door at Old Trafford, as a 2-1 loss to West Ham last month was the straw that broke the camel's back on a disappointing two-year stint with United.

Former Sporting CP head coach Amorim has work to be done should he wish to turn the tide in the north west, especially given that his side were held to a 1-1 draw from Ipswich Town in his managerial debut on Sunday. United face FK Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday evening, before then hosting Everton in the Premier League come Sunday.

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