Danny Welbeck has become the father figure at Brighton that he used to look up to at Manchester United.
Welbeck, 32, is enjoying a wonderful renaissance under Roberto De Zerbi and, while he once found it “weird” playing against United, he could knock them out at Wembley and get another FA Cup winner’s medal.
Brighton striker Welbeck, who won at Wembley with Arsenal in 2017, has played under Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger and recognises something “special” in De Zerbi. Welbeck has taken some of their younger players under his wing. He even tweeted a picture with him towering over full back Tariq Lamptey and a joke about rewarding him with a McDonalds Happy Meal for a “great report at parents’ evening."
Welback said: “I had it when I was coming through as a young player. And to get the advice of the older players and senior pros is invaluable, the experience that they have been through, and to listen to them.
“There were so many at Manchester United, so many players that you could look up to, the senior pros. I think for me there was Darren Fletcher, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown. There’s too many to name but the whole group was welcoming.
“I think it’s important to have a group where anybody can come into it, no matter where you’ve grown up. Because we have players that have come from a lot of different countries and to feel involved is a massive part of that.”
Welbeck grew up at Old Trafford, was part of the title-winning team in Fergie’s last season in 2013 and it was a heart-rending decision to leave to join Arsenal in 2014. He then scored the winner against his old club in the quarter finals as the Gunners went on to lift the trophy in 2015.
England international Welbeck, who missed the 2015 final through injury but played in Arsenal’s 2017 triumph over Chelsea, said: “I’ve played games against United multiple times now, and to be honest it’s now not as weird as it once was.
"It was worse when I went to Old Trafford. You go there and you go into the away dressing room and you’re warming up on a different side of the pitch, and walking out on the other side.
“That was a little bit weird, but we’re professional at the end of the day. You get on the pitch and you just want to do your job and perform. I’m looking forward to this occasion, it’s a FA Cup semi-final, you want to get through to the next round.”
Welbeck has enjoyed a terrific career, is such a nice, friendly personality and his character is certain to rub off on any dressing room. And despite achieving so much in his career as he has won the title and played for England at major tournaments, the FA Cup is still special.
“It was definitely a highlight,” said Welbeck. “To win trophies is big and you can always look back with fond memories. It also gives you that hunger to do it again and to lift more trophies. I remember the day against Chelsea. It was a great team performance and we were pretty much the underdogs going into that final. It was massive for the whole club and it gives you that hunger to do it again.”
Brighton will probably start as underdogs again on Sunday. But De Zerbi has brought a new optimism and style to the AmEx. Welbeck has played under Ferguson and Wenger and immediately recognises a good manager.
Welbeck added: “I’ve been lucky enough to play under some great managers and he’s definitely a special manager and for me to have him as a manager at this stage of my career is also very beneficial because you learn so much more as well.
“With Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex, they were two completely different management styles but both very successful in their own way. I wouldn’t say there’s just one way to have success. But you can tell he’s a special manager.”
