Rejected ex-Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck has become the object of vitriolic and threatening comments on social media following his winning goal for Arsenal against his former club in Monday’s FA Cup quarter final match.
Playing at Old Trafford, where he cut his teeth as a Premier League player and watched his heroes as a young supporter, Welbeck’s winner, resulting from an under-hit back pass by United’s Antonio Valencia, has almost certainly condemned his former club and the manager that rejected him to a trophyless season. Indeed, the Premier League’s most successful side by a long way will be denied UEFA Champions League qualification for a second successive season unless they can stay ahead of at least three combatants embroiled in the tense contest between Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool and Southampton for third or fourth spot if, as seems likely, Chelsea and Manchester City continue to vie for the top two places.
Welbeck’s celebration of his goal was respectfully muted, but not for him the waving away of teammates or disingenuous glumness befitting the passing of a rich doting maiden aunt. Even if he stopped short of kissing the Gunners’ badge, he understandably basked in the elation of the 9,000 euphoric travelling Arsenal fans. In the game’s aftermath, however, United’s social media trolls went into overdrive.
Nolove said: “Danny Welbeck I will find you and I will kill you.”
Another poster added: “Somebody just KILL Welbeck! Can’t stand the a******! #RedOrDead#MUFC.”
UtdMads wrote: “Welbeck you c*** celebrating. You are so DEAD to me! F****** JUDAS.”
Grande DeGea said: “Hey Welbeck, when you die, I will celebrate it in front of your family.”
Another so-called football fan added: “hope welbeck breaks his f****** leg and can’t play ever again f****** judas c***.”
Conversely, many United fans applauded their former striker when he was substituted towards of the game by boss Arsene Wenger, who snapped him up last summer after he was told by United manager Louis van Gaal, he had no future at the club.
That Arsenal seem more likely than United to grab one of the two Champions League spots that would appear to be up for grabs and are certainly on course for silverware by retaining the FA Cup should give Welbeck that warm glow of satisfaction, especially since van Gaal has frequently responded ungraciously to suggestions that he might be regretting Welbeck’s exit in view of the much heralded Radamel Falcao’s subsequent limited impact.
Former players applauded Welbeck’s right to celebrate his goal. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said: “Brilliant celebration from Welbeck none of that respect Man Utd fans nonsense.”
Ex-Anfield star Jamie Redknapp added: “I just loved seeing Danny Welbeck celebrate his goal. It is a load of tosh when a former player doesn’t celebrate against his old team.
“Goal scoring is why we play/watch/support — and it’s a while since Danny scored one! United didn’t want to keep him, he left for Arsenal and here he was back at Old Trafford scoring a predatory winner.” How surprising that two ex-Liverpool players should decide to have a splash around in Manchester United’s pool of gloom!
Welbeck, who upset Ghanaians by turning down the opportunity to play for his parents’ country of birth, properly broke into the Manchester United first team squad in 2011 under Sir Alex Ferguson, some three years after a debut in which he scored. Holding out to play for England bore fruit in the same year when he made his senior international debut, ironically in a 1 – 1 draw against Ghana.
His first senior England cap vindicated the loyalty Welbeck had shown the club he supported as a child and the faith of his mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson, who twice sent the youngster out on loan to aid his development. Ferguson’s retirement brought changes, however; the most significant of which was that playing against United was no longer the intimidating proposition it had been for the best part of two decades.
Where failure usurps success, a scapegoat is never far away, and David Moyes, Sir Alex’s calamitous replacement and, to some extent, the likes of Welbeck, Nani, Rio Ferdinand, Anderson, etc. fit the bill perfectly. Welbeck made no secret of his disappointment when new boss van Gaal put him up for sale, but he was pragmatic enough to realise that a move to a club that is on an equal footing in terms of ability to attract the world’s best talent would be no retrograde step.
Many players leave clubs, willingly or unwillingly, amid all kind of bitterness and acrimony. Danny Welbeck stuck with his favourite club for years when many others in his position might have been tempted away. New managers have new visions, and should not be condemned for that. But Danny Welbeck, the faithful servant who only jumped ship reluctantly when his manager essentially told the whole footballing world he didn’t think he was good enough, would have been within his rights to perform an Adebayor-esque sprint to the Stretford End swinging his shirt above his head.
United trolls, deal with it; this may not be the last time.
