Ex-Manchester United and Arsenal star Danny Welbeck given oxygen after being stretchered off with concerning injury
Former Manchester United and Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck had to be given oxygen after sustaining a concerning injury during Brighton & Hove Albion’s Premier League clash against Newcastle United. The Englishman scored the game's only goal in the 35th minute to secure all three points for the Seagulls at St. James' Park on Saturday, October 19.
Welbeck found the back of the net after a brilliant exchange with Georginio Rutter. However, the former Arsenal and Manchester United forward collided with Newcastle defender Fabian Schar late in the game.
The incident looked minor at first but Welbeck looked in serious discomfort which made the referee invite Brighton's medical staff onto the pitch. According to Football.London, he was attended by the medical staff for several minutes and was administered oxygen before being taken off on a stretcher.
Welbeck received a standing ovation from both sets of fans after being replaced by defender Jan Paul van Hecke in the 81st minute. After the game, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler gave an update on Welbeck's condition.
He was quoted as saying by Yahoo Sports:
“No updates. I can’t say any updates. I think he got a knee in his lower back. Let’s wait until later, until tomorrow, then we’ll know more.”
Brighton & Hove Albion provided a further update on Welbeck posting a smiling picture of the forward on X. Their post read:
“Dat guy’s a bit bruised and battered, but the good news is our match-winner at St James’ Park, @DannyWelbeck, is on our @British_Airways flight home.”
Welbeck has been on fire this season with five goals and one assist in eight Premier League games. He has been at the Amex Stadium since 2020 and has made 134 appearances across competitions, registering 31 goals and nine assists.
The 33-year-old came through the youth ranks of Manchester United and made 142 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils. He managed 29 goals and 17 assists for his boyhood club, winning six trophies, including one Premier League title, during his time at Old Trafford.
He joined Arsenal in 2014 and stayed at the Emirates until 2019, making 126 appearances across competitions for the Gunners. He scored 32 goals and produced 13 assists for the north London club, winning three trophies.
Gary Neville makes big claim on former Manchester United and Arsenal star
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has claimed that the Red Devils should not have sold Danny Welbeck to Arsenal in 2014. The Englishman joined the Gunners on the transfer deadline day in the summer of 2014 in a deal worth a reported £16 million.
Welbeck has been excellent for Brighton this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist in eight league games. While discussing the 33-year-old's form on Stick to Football on Sky Bet, Roy Keane joked:
"Could he go back to United maybe?"
In reply to Keane's question, Gary Neville claimed Welbeck is in better form than any of the current Manchester United attackers. He added that the Red Devils made a mistake by letting him depart for Arsenal in 2014.
The former England full-back said:
"He's in better form than any of the United front players, by far. Danny Welbeck, to be fair, should have never been let go at United. Roy, if you've got a squad of 24, 23, and you want to keep five or six strikers, he's got to be one of those. You've got to keep him."