Manchester United reportedly discussed the possibility of re-signing Danny Welbeck during Erik ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag was relieved of his duties by the Red Devils earlier this week after two-and-a-half years in charge of the club, with Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim set to be appointed as his successor.
The Dutchman survived the axe at the end of last season when he surprisingly steered Man United to FA Cup glory, before being handed a new two-year contract and over £200m to spend on five new first-team signings.
However, Ten Hag won just four of his opening 14 matches in all competitions this season and a 2-1 defeat at West Ham United in the Premier League proved to be the final nail in his coffin, with the 54-year-old leaving the Red Devils sitting 14th in the table.
During the summer, Man United decided to fork out around £42m to sign striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, with the Dutchman brought to Old Trafford to provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund.
Man United gave 'serious thought' to signing Welbeck under Ten Hag
While Hojlund has been hampered with niggling injuries, Zirkzee has not made a prolific start to life at Man United, who are the third-lowest scorers in the Premier League (eight), just ahead of Crystal Palace and basement club Southampton (both six).
According to The Athletic, Man United failed to lure Harry Kane to Old Trafford in 2023, and subsequently turned their attention to other targets, with former Red Devil Welbeck one name who was 'discussed internally' by the club.
The reports adds that Ten Hag felt that the 33-year-old would be an 'excellent addition' to his team and people at Man United are said to have given 'serious thought' to making him an offer, as the club weighed up how to replace the outgoing Anthony Martial.
Ten Hag is said to have been impressed by Welbeck's performance at Old Trafford in the Dutchman's first Premier League match in charge of Man United in August 2022, when Graham Potter's Brighton won 2-1.
A concrete offer ultimately did not materialise for Welbeck to return to his boyhood club, as Ten Hag's job was uncertain at the time, while the formation of a new hierarchy and recruitment team at Man United complicated matters.
Welbeck enjoying life at Brighton
Welbeck also scored at the Theatre of Dreams in a 3-1 victory for Brighton in September last year, before netting in a 2-1 home win for the Seagulls in August of this season. The striker has scored five goals against Man United in total and has only netted more against West Ham United (six) in his career.
The Longsight-born striker began his professional career at Man United, making his debut under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008, and went on to score 29 goals in 142 appearances across all competitions, winning one Premier League title and two League Cups.
Welbeck left the Red Devils to join Arsenal in 2014 and has since represented Watford and Brighton, joining the latter on a free transfer in 2020.
The 42-cap England international, who is said to ranks among the top performers at Brighton on physical tests, has rejuvenated his career with the Seagulls and has particularly impressed this season under Fabian Hurzeler, scoring six Premier League goals in nine games.
