Erik ten Hag wanted to sign former Arsenal star in shock move before Man Utd dismissal

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Manchester United recently parted ways with manager Erik ten Hag, in a blow to Arsenal given their poor form.

Man United are currently 14th in the Premier League after a dismal start to the season, and with Arsenal set to face United in December, fans were hoping Ten Hag would remain in his post for another month.

Mikel Arteta has won three of his four meetings with Ten Hag’s United, but the Red Devils have now fired the Dutchman, and Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim looks set to replace him.

Details around Ten Hag’s downfall at United are emerging, and it has now been revealed that he wanted to recruit a player Arsenal signed 10 years ago.

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Erik ten Hag wanted to sign Danny Welbeck at Man United

The Athletic have now revealed that Ten Hag was keen on signing Brighton attacker Danny Welbeck at United, which would see him return to Old Trafford a decade after he left.

Welbeck left United in 2014 to sign for Arsenal, after falling down the pecking order as United signed Radamel Falcao on loan.

Arsene Wenger was desperate for forward options after an injury to Olivier Giroud, and Welbeck was a shock addition on deadline day. However, despite injuries, he lasted five years at Arsenal and became a popular figure.

Welbeck has since reinvented himself at Brighton, and has scored six times in the Premier League this season. Ten Hag was keen on signing him in the summer, but United ultimately did not move for the former Arsenal forward.

Danny Welbeck’s Arsenal record against Man United

Welbeck produced some iconic moments in an Arsenal shirt, most notably against his old club in a classic FA Cup tie.

Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford in a FA Cup quarter-final in 2015, with Welbeck returning for the first time, and he proved decisive, rounding David De Gea to score the winner.

Welbeck also scored against United in a 3-2 loss a year later, but did net a brilliant header in a 2-0 victory in 2017.

He has since scored against them for Brighton, as well as scoring against Arsenal in the past for Watford and his current club, and given his excellent form, perhaps Ten Hag may have fared better at United if he had signed the attacker.