Man United are mad to sell Welbeck to Arsenal - Rio Ferdinand

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed his astonishment that his old club allowed Danny Welbeck to make a £16million switch to Arsenal on transfer deadline day.

The Gunners pounced for Welbeck in the 11th-hour of the summer window after injury ruled out Olivier Giroud until the new year.

However, United’s decision to sell one of their promising youth products to fellow top four rivals has left QPR defender Ferdinand baffled.

‘I cannot believe United let Danny go, especially to Arsenal. That seems mad to me,’ the 35-year-old told The Sun.

‘He’s a real threat to defenders and, if Arsenal use him right, he will be very dangerous for them.

‘Danny has everything to be a top player. English football has yet to see what he can really do because he hasn’t been getting a run of games.

‘I think he felt frustrated at United because, even if he did well, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney would be ahead of him.

‘At Arsenal, he will be the main man and I have no doubt he will flourish.

‘Imagine the pace Arsenal will have when everyone is fit.

‘There will be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with three fliers in front of him in Theo Walcott, Alexis Sanchez and Danny.

‘I’m telling you they would give Usain Bolt’s Jamaican 4x100m team a run for their money.’

Ferdinand added that United’s radical change of ethos over the last transfer window is simply the result of the changing times they’re being forced to cope with.

‘It is a change of direction for United letting one of their own go,’ he said.

‘Traditionally, this was not their way, adding so many players in a short period of time and having such a radical overhaul.

‘Normally, as with me when I joined in 2002, it was about adding one piece to the jigsaw.

‘Some fans still romanticise about their success and the way they brought through so many home-grown players.

‘Unfortunately, you can’t always have that fairytale.

‘Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria are world-class players and they have added quality in Anders Herrera, Luke Shaw and Daley Blind.

‘But I do wonder if they will live to regret not keeping Danny.’