On the eve of the heated showdown between Brighton and Manchester United, an interview on TNT Sports has generated a lot of attention. Former legendary Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke highly of Danny Welbeck, who now plays for Brighton, and bluntly pointed out that it was a major mistake for United to sell Welbeck in the first place.
Ferdinand looked back fondly on Welbeck's youthful years at United, saying: "Welbeck's performances never surprised me. Even when he was a little boy, I could see that he was a great player with unlimited potential. When United decided to let him go, I was shocked and puzzled. Because not only does he have great value as a player in his own right, but more importantly, he plays an irreplaceable role in the team as a player developed by United's youth system."
Ferdinand further emphasized Welbeck's professionalism and the awe opponents have for him, "I think those players who have played against Welbeck on the field have a better appreciation of how difficult he is to deal with than fans who only know him through the media. He is an extremely good professional player who deserves everyone's respect for his effort and talent."
Former England midfielder Joe Cole also came over to Ferdinand's side, adding, "I totally agree with Leo. We have witnessed players like Welbeck and John Evans who have been able to shine and have notable careers in the Premier League even after leaving United. I firmly believe that had they continued to develop at United, their contribution would have been immeasurable. United have perhaps been under a sort of shadow for a long time as a result, failing to fully explore and utilize these valuable talents."
