Danny Welbeck explains reason behind surprise Manchester United transfer links

Danny Welbeck has broken his silence on the rumours surrounding a sensational return to Manchester United.

The United academy graduate left the club for Arsenal in 2014 after a 13-spell at Old Trafford.

Welbeck has never hidden his affiliation with his former club amid reports that former United boss Erik ten Hag was plotting to bring the striker back to Manchester.

The recently departed manager had identified the 34-year-old as a target towards the back end of last season.

A deal failed to materialise, though, as their were worries about Ten Hag's long-term future - something which came to pass when he was sacked last month.

Welbeck has gone on to produce a blistering start to the season for Brighton, netting six times in 12 league games.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, Welbeck dismissed any notion of a move back to Old Trafford as paper talk while reaffirming his affinity for his current employers.

“It’s speculation,” Welbeck said. "Being a Manchester boy I’ve always got that link after coming through at United. Stuff always comes up but I’m just focusing on what I can do for Brighton."

The striker also played down the idea of a return to the England set-up following his encouraging start to the season.

Harry Kane aside, the Three Lions can call upon Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke in the striker role however neither of the latter names have outscored the Brighton star this season.

“I had a great time playing for England but my focus is solely on Brighton,” he said. “The rest of the other stuff, that takes care of itself. My mind is set on Brighton and trying to get three points every weekend.”

On his start to the season, Welbeck revealed that a change of responsibilities under new boss Fabian Hurzeler has improved his productivity in front of goal.

“It’s been a good start and obviously this season I’ve got the goals early and I’m looking to build upon that and finish the season well,” he said.

“Last season, I had a different role and I was required to do different things on the pitch. This season I’ve had a few more opportunities in front of the goal where I’m getting in some more dangerous positions and luckily I’m being fed by my teammates. I’ve been working hard and putting them away.

“The manager Fabian has come in and he’s had his ideas right from the start.

“He gets his message across so well, we have a lot of meetings on what he wants us to do on the pitch. There’s so much detail that goes into it. He’s definitely a top-class coach.”

Welbeck admits he still retains a burning desire to be the best he can be in football despite entering the twilight of his career.

The striker credits a host of former teammates as major influences on him and they way in which he looks after himself in his 30s.

“I’ve still got the same love and passion for the game,” Welbeck said. “I’m 34 and feeling really fit and strong.

“I’ve been fortunate enough in my career to have good role models at United like [Ryan] Giggs, [Paul] Scholes, Rio [Ferdinand], [Patrice] Evra to see how they looked after themselves and how they prepared every day.

“I went to Arsenal and there was Per Mertesacker there who did a lot of work to make sure I was right.

“Here, I’ve got James Milner, he's 38 so I’m like a baby to him!”