Danny Welbeck (Part 1)

Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck, born on November 26, 1990, is an English professional footballer known for playing as a forward. As of now, he is associated with the Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.
Welbeck began his career journey by progressing through the youth ranks at Manchester United. His senior debut in 2008 was memorable as he scored during the match. During his time at Manchester United, he contributed to the team's victories in the 2008–09 League Cup and the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup. However, he also had loan spells with Preston North End and Sunderland.


From the 2011–12 season onwards, Welbeck became a regular fixture in the Manchester United first team. In September 2014, he made a significant move to Arsenal, transferring for a fee of £16 million. After his departure from Arsenal, Welbeck joined Watford in August 2019, following his release from the club at the end of the previous season. A year later, he became a part of Brighton & Hove Albion.
Welbeck's international career began in March 2011 when he made his debut for the England national team in a friendly match against Ghana, which ended in a 1–1 draw. He scored his first senior international goal on June 2, 2012, in a friendly against Belgium, where his goal secured a victory. Welbeck has since represented England at various tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2012, the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, earning a total of 42 caps.


Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck, born on November 26, 1990, embarked on his football journey at the tender age of six when he was first spotted by Manchester United scouts. His early promise was evident, and by the age of eight, he had impressed with local team Fletcher Moss Rangers, catching the attention of Manchester United's youth academy.
Welbeck officially joined Manchester United during the 2005–06 season and quickly made strides within the club's youth setup. He made his debut for the under-18 team in April 2006 and continued to excel, despite facing challenges like Osgood–Schlatter disease and pneumonia. His talent and determination earned him a first trainee contract with Manchester United in July 2007.


In January 2008, Welbeck received his call-up to the Manchester United first team and made his debut in a testimonial match against Al-Hilal. He went on to make his competitive debut for the club's first team in September 2008, showcasing his abilities with notable performances, including scoring on his Premier League debut against Stoke City.
Welbeck's versatility and goal-scoring prowess saw him becoming a key figure for Manchester United, earning him loan spells with Preston North End and Sunderland. During his time at Sunderland, he further showcased his abilities, prompting calls for an England national team call-up.


Upon returning to Manchester United, Welbeck continued to make significant contributions, including scoring crucial goals in various competitions such as the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. His performances earned him recognition, including being shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year Award in 2012.
Welbeck's time at Manchester United saw him experiencing both highs and lows, including injuries and a desire for a more central role on the field. In March 2014, he expressed his intention to leave Manchester United in search of more playing time as a striker.
Overall, Welbeck's journey at Manchester United was characterized by his determination, versatility, and goal-scoring ability, establishing him as a promising talent in English football.


On 2 September 2014, Danny Welbeck made a significant move from Manchester United to Arsenal, joining the Gunners on a "long-term deal" for a fee of £16 million. His departure from Manchester United was explained by then-manager Louis van Gaal, who cited Welbeck's departure as part of a strategy to allow younger players to integrate into the team, alongside the arrival of other players like Radamel Falcao.
Welbeck made an immediate impact upon his Arsenal debut against Manchester City, contributing to a 2–2 draw. Despite some early challenges, Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger expressed confidence in Welbeck's abilities, urging patience from fans. Welbeck soon found his stride, scoring his first Arsenal goal against Aston Villa and following it up with a memorable hat-trick against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League.


One of the most memorable moments of Welbeck's time at Arsenal came when he scored the winning goal against his former club, Manchester United, in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Old Trafford in March 2015. However, his joy was short-lived as he was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to injury, missing Arsenal's FA Cup triumph.
Welbeck's second season at Arsenal was marred by injury setbacks, including a knee injury that sidelined him for several months. Despite these challenges, he made a triumphant return, scoring crucial goals and making significant contributions to Arsenal's campaigns in various competitions.
In January 2017, Welbeck showcased his prowess by scoring two goals in a fourth-round FA Cup tie against Southampton. He continued to make important contributions, including starting in Arsenal's victory over Chelsea in the 2017 FA Cup Final.


Unfortunately, Welbeck's time at Arsenal was plagued by injuries, including a broken ankle suffered in a match against Sporting CP in the UEFA Europa League. As a result, he was unable to secure a contract extension with Arsenal, and his departure was confirmed at the end of the season.
Despite the challenges he faced with injuries, Welbeck's time at Arsenal was marked by memorable performances and contributions to the club's successes in domestic and European competitions.
On August 7, 2019, Danny Welbeck made a move to Watford, signing with the Premier League club on a contract of undisclosed length. His debut for Watford came as a substitute in a match against Everton, which ended in a 1–0 loss for Watford. Welbeck's first goal for the club came in an EFL Cup game against Swansea City, helping Watford secure a 2–1 victory. He then netted his first league goal for Watford in a 2–1 home win over Norwich City.
Despite his contributions on the field, Welbeck's time at Watford was relatively short-lived. The club announced his release on October 6, 2020, signaling the end of his tenure with the Hornets.

References

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6. ^ Keeling, Neal (16 March 2015). "Boy, 15, arrested over vile racist tweet made against ex-United star Danny Welbeck". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
7. ^ Kelso, Paul (15 December 2011). "Manchester United's Brian McClair insists new academy rules are essential to help England catch up with rivals". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
8. a b c "Daniel Welbeck". redStat.
9. ^ Bostock, Adam (22 August 2011). "Welbeck hails coaches". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
10. ^ Coppack, Nick (21 January 2008). "Report: Al Hilal 3 United 2". Manchester United F.C. Retrieved 27 January 2008.
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12. ^ "Man Utd 3–1 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2008.