I joined Arsenal after Man Utd played me out of position – I score goals for fun now

Danny Welbeck made his senior professional debut in 2008 and has gone on to enjoy a successful career, but it could have been very different if he stayed in Manchester

Danny Welbeck, who left Manchester United for Arsenal, has had an unpredictable career since his professional debut in 2008.

Welbeck was given his first start by Sir Alex Ferguson against Middlesbrough in the League Cup and made the most of his United appearances under the legendary manager. The academy product played 142 matches for his childhood club, netting 29 goals, but his game time decreased when Louis van Gaal took over in 2014.

Under David Moyes' management, Welbeck made 33 appearances, but only played three times out of position for Van Gaal, which led him to look for a new opportunity. On the last day of the summer transfer window, Arsenal swooped in and secured Welbeck's services for £16million.

The move was a blessing in disguise for the forward, who had been at Old Trafford since he was eight. Explaining the reasoning behind his north London arrival, Welbeck said: "At the time I was playing on the left wing a lot and in a 4-4-2, which is very difficult for me because I can't make an impact on the game.

"I can play it to the best of my ability but that's not best for the team, and I could make a bigger impact playing in my preferred position.

"You start to have thoughts but at that time you're still going to training and I was still giving 100 per cent and giving my all in every single game - that's just me, I'm not going to change that. But you do start to think about what's best for you."

The striker featured 126 times for the Gunners, netting 32 goals - three of which came against his former club in Manchester. Welbeck claimed two FA Cups with the north London outfit, playing under Arsène Wenger and Unai Emery before his departure in 2019.

Watford snapped up Welbeck on a free transfer that summer, and he found the net three times in 20 outings before departing the club just 12 months later. In 2020, a fresh opportunity arose in the shape of Brighton, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Welbeck continues to excel for the Seagulls to this day, bagging six goals in the Premier League already this campaign. So far, the 34-year-old has played 173 times for Brighton, finding the back of the net 43 times and providing 17 assists - comfortably eclipsing his goal records at United, Arsenal and Watford.

Few could have anticipated Welbeck's renaissance at the Premier League club, considering their usual recruitment strategy that focuses on youthful and untested talent.

The veteran forward will be delighted that the Seagulls backed him five years ago, as he continues to flourish 17 years on from his professional debut.