Former Manchester United star David Beckham has revealed that he is saddened by the departure of Danny Welbeck, who joined Arsenal in a £ 16 million deal on transfer deadline day. Welbeck came through the ranks at United after having been recognised as one of the few since the days of David Beckham to have risen through the ranks after having joined the club at a young age. Beckham has recalled that Welbeck has been at United since the age of eight, while he also hails from this part of the country.

The globalisation of the Premier League has seen clubs go for established talent rather than promoting players from their own community. Manchester United were the last top club to bring through a number of youngsters, who famously called as the class of 92. Beckham was part of this group along with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. The 38-year-old, who recently retired from football, says that Welbeck could have been the next generation of youngsters for United, but as this, he will be representing Arsenal from here on.

Welbeck did not appear to figure in the plans of manager Louis van Gaal from the start and he has been replaced by Colombian international Radamel Falcao, who comes from Monaco on a season-long loan deal.

"Arsenal have a very good, young talented English player. To see him leave Manchester United is sad. He had been there since he was eight and his heart was in Manchester. Di Maria is obviously a very talented player. He has played in the World Cup and won the Champions League but my advice to him wearing the number seven shirt is to enjoy it because wearing that shirt is without a doubt one of the proudest moments I have had in my career,” said Beckham about Welbeck and Angel di Maria.