Erik ten Hag wanted to re-sign ex-Man Utd player who Rio Ferdinand 'could not believe' was allowed to leave

A new report has revealed that Erik ten Hag wanted to re-sign one former Manchester United player that club legend Rio Ferdinand couldn't believe was sold.

Ten Hag was officially dismissed from his role as United manager on Monday afternoon as a statement from the club confirmed that he had been sacked.

One of the likely contributors to Ten Hag's sacking was his lacklustre record in the transfer market, with several players that he brought to the club viewed by fans as flops.

And now, a report has revealed that the Dutch manager had hoped to re-sign one player that United sold a decade ago in a move that former player Ferdinand could not understand.

According to The New York Times, this year Ten Hag wanted to bring Brighton striker Danny Welbeck back to United, ten years after allowing him to join Arsenal on deadline day.

While no official move was made by United, it is reported that a bid was given serious consideration with the Englishman seen as a potential replacement for Anthony Martial, who left the club last summer after nine years.

Having come up through the United academy, Welbeck spent six years at the Manchester club, including loans to both Sunderland and Preston North End.

However, in the closing hours of deadline day in 2014, United sold the striker to Arsenal for a reported fee of £16 million.

And, despite Welbeck failing to make a huge name for himself at United, club legend Ferdinand recently revealed that he was shocked when the club sold his former teammate and thinks it was a huge mistake.

Danny Welbeck has started the 2024/25 season well for Brighton, scoring six goals in nine Premier League games. (Image: Getty)

Speaking on TNT Sports ahead of United's 2-1 loss to Brighton early in the season, he said: "Nothing surprises me with Danny Welbeck.

"I watched him as a young kid at Manchester United and he was a wonderful player.

"I couldn’t believe it when United agreed to let him go because I thought he had so much value, not only as a player but just around the place as well as a former academy player.

"I think he’s someone who players who have played against him respect more than some fans who don’t quite realise how difficult he is to play against. He’s a great professional too."