Gary Neville, unfiltered in his retirement, didn't hold back. Watching Welbeck announce his departure left a bitter taste in his mouth.
"Danny had all the tools—pace, movement, intelligence—but he never became the player we thought he would," Gary Neville said bluntly in an interview. "For an academy talent, it's a massive disappointment. Instead of fighting for his place, he's running away."
The words sent shockwaves through the media. Already, the dressing room was in turmoil, with exits piling up and the new gaffer facing scrutiny. Now, one of United's most respected legends had added fuel to the fire.
Tiger, upon hearing Neville's comments, didn't react publicly. But privately, he knew this transition was already volatile. Losing Welbeck wasn't the issue—it was the perception of United falling apart that concerned him.
Meanwhile, in the Arsenal camp, Wenger was delighted. He saw Welbeck as a project, someone who could flourish under his coaching. But as the media storm raged on, it became clear—United wasn't just rebuilding a squad. They were fighting to rebuild their identity.
As the discussion shifted to the forwards for the upcoming season, Tiger King, Scholes, Woodward, and the coaching staff evaluated the options at their disposal.
The current lineup consisted of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, and Danny Welbeck. However, with Welbeck's public desire to leave and his agent actively negotiating with Arsenal, it was clear that he would soon be sold for €12 million.
With Welbeck's departure imminent, Tiger emphasized the need for reinforcement in attack. "Van Persie isn't getting any younger, Rooney is still uncertain about his long-term future, and Chicharito, while effective, is more of a super-sub than a regular starter."
Woodward, "Let's look at what our team have pulled up from those available for sale"
1. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid - €35M to €45M)A clinical finisher and proven goal scorer, Higuain was available after Madrid decided to move forward with Karim Benzema. However, his asking price was steep, and Napoli was leading the race.
2. Edinson Cavani (Napoli - €50M+)One of Europe's deadliest strikers, but his price was astronomical. Paris Saint-Germain had already taken a significant lead in negotiations.
3. Álvaro Negredo (Sevilla - €20-30M)A powerful striker with good link-up play and finishing, Negredo was on the radar of several clubs, including Manchester City, who were frontrunners for his signature.
4. Edin Džeko (Manchester City - €22M-€25M)A physically dominant striker with aerial ability, but prying him away from City would be difficult. His inconsistent game time under Mancini made him a potential target.
5. Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich - €18M-€20M)A traditional poacher with a fantastic goal-scoring record, but concerns over his mobility and injuries made him a gamble. Fiorentina was already negotiating.
6. Roberto Soldado (Valencia - €30M)A natural goal scorer, but his ability to adapt to the Premier League was questionable. Tottenham had taken the lead in signing him.
7. David Villa (Barcelona - €5M)A world-class forward, but at 31 years old and having suffered a serious leg injury in recent seasons, he was no longer at his peak. Atlético Madrid was closing in on him.
8. Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao - Free Transfer) A strong target man with excellent hold-up play, but questions remained about whether he could handle the speed of the Premier League. Juventus was likely his next destination.
With Welbeck departing, United needed a forward who could support Van Persie and Rooney while also pushing for a starting role. Cavani and Higuain were too expensive, while David Villa and Llorente posed fitness or adaptability risks. Negredo, Gomez, or Džeko seemed like the most viable options based on budget and availability.
Tiger leaned back, deep in thought. "We don't just need any striker—we need someone who can deliver now. No gambles. No waiting games. We either go for a proven name or trust what we have."
Scholes agreed. "We can't afford to waste money on another Bebe situation. Every signing has to count."
Woodward, ever the negotiator, rubbed his chin. "I'll start making calls. Let's see who we can bring in at the right price."
Phelan "What about our youth talents?"
Eric Steele, knew it was his time to respond, picked up the file and started,
"1. Angelo Henriquez – A promising Chilean striker, but not ready to lead the line. A loan move was being considered.
2. Will Keane – Once regarded as a top prospect but had struggled with injuries. Still a long way from the first team.
3. Federico Macheda – Once a sensation, now struggling for consistency. Likely to be moved on.
4. James Wilson – Talented, but still very raw and only 17 years old at the time."
Scholes shook his head as he glanced through the list of youth and reserve strikers. "None of them are ready for a first-team call-up. Not one. We need reinforcements, and we need them fast."
Tiger sighed, already anticipating this response. "Then we move for a striker. But we have to be smart. No panic buys. No overpriced gambles."
Woodward, flipping through his notes, added, "We have funds from the exits. We can afford a proper forward, but we need to make the right choice."
Scholes leaned forward. "Van Persie is 32 next season, Rooney's form is hit-and-miss, and Chicharito is still best as an impact sub. If we don't get this right, we're looking at a serious goal drought."
Tiger nodded. "Let's narrow it down to Negredo, Džeko, or Gomez. We need a physical presence up top—someone who can lead the line and finish chances. Woodward, start the conversations. We need a striker before preseason kicks off."