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Erik ten Hag wanted Manchester United to re-sign former player who Jonny Evans said could become the best in the world

Charles Jones

Wed 30 October 2024 9:15, UK

Erik Ten Hag made some seriously desperate plays towards the end of his time at Manchester United.

Ten Hag played Noussair Mazraoui as a number 10 in his final European game last week, while many of the Dutchman’s tactical decisions over the past few months have been desperate.

However, perhaps the most telling act of desperation from Ten Hag in this time is just how vital a player Jonny Evans has become in this Manchester United team.

Evans re-signed for United in 2023, and many expected him to just make up the numbers and perhaps do his coaching badges.

However, this season, Evans has been one of Manchester United’s better players and he’s been a regular starter.

The fact that in 2024, United were still relying on a player from the Alex Ferguson era is rather telling, and if Ten Hag had it his way, another former Fergie favourite would also have joined.

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Erik ten Hag wanted Danny Welbeck

According to , Erik ten Hag wanted to re-sign Danny Welbeck in the summer.

Welbeck, of course, came through the Manchester United academy before being sold to Arsenal in 2014.

Welbeck was highly-rated during his time at United. In fact, Jonny Evans once stated, as quoted by , that he could be the best player in the world if he could score more goals.

“Danny is a very valued member of our squad,” said Evans.

“People have been saying over the years that he doesn’t quite get the attention.

“But that’s just purely down to goals. I think that if he adds a few goals to his game, people will start saying he’s the best player in the world.

“If you look at his overall play, the things he can with the ball are unbelievable. Then there are the things he does off-the-ball for the team as well. The shifts that he puts in are fantastic.”

Welbeck has found his scoring touch this season, netting five so far in the Premier League for Brighton, and perhaps he would’ve been a good signing for this misfiring United side.

Unfortunately, Ten Hag couldn’t get this signing over the line, and United are now set to appoint Ruben Amorim as a replacement.

Manchester United players who returned to the club

Welbeck wouldn’t have been the first player to re-sign for United if he came back to Old Trafford in the summer.

Indeed, there have been a handful of players to have two spells at Old Trafford over the years, and it’s fair to say they have been a mixed bag.

United have had mixed fortunes when re-signing former players in the past. Jonny Evans and Mark Hughes may be the only real success stories from this list given how both Paul Pogba and Cristiano Ronaldo departed the club on free transfers on unamicable terms.

Welbeck almost returned to Old Trafford in the summer, but, ultimately, the Red Devils decided to go for a younger striking option in the shape of Joshua Zirkzee.

Unfortunately, Zirkzee hasn’t had the best of starts to life in Manchester while Welbeck is starring at Brighton.