“Thanks to my mum and dad for giving me good genes,” said Brighton’s FA Cup hero.
Five years after it looked as though Danny Welbeck’s career was petering out, the 34-year-old sent Albion into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
When Welbeck played 18 times and scored twice in Watford’s Premier League relegation campaign in 2019-20, it didn’t seem like there were great days ahead of him.
The former (more on this later) England frontman left the Hornets on a free transfer and joined Brighton after the transfer window had closed in October 2020.
An un-Brighton-like signing, a 29-year-old injury-prone forward – surely just a stop-gap?
And yet, the two-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal has had a storming time in Sussex – capped off by his latest goal.
In extra time of their FA Cup fifth-round tie with Newcastle, he ran on to Solly March’s pass before clipping a clever finish over Martin Dubravka from a tight angle to make it 2-1.
That is his eighth goal of the season – only behind two of his Manchester United seasons and one at Arsenal. He is four off his record of 12 at United in 2011–12.
“Danny was great to play alongside. If I’m being honest I would like to see him here at Manchester United,” said former Red Devils and England team-mate Wayne Rooney on BBC One.