‘Man U erred’

LONDON. – Manchester United legend Paul Scholes insists his former club have made an error by allowing Danny Welbeck to join Arsenal.
The England international completed his move to the FA Cup holders in the final moments of the transfer window with Arsene Wenger paying £16 million for the 23-year-old who will provide cover for Oliver Giroud who suffered an ankle injury last month that will keep him out for four months. Welbeck’s position at Old Trafford was further undermined by the signing of Colombia superstar Radamel Falcao, also on deadline day, but Scholes believes Welbeck could still have played a significant role in United’s long-term future and that the Old Trafford giant’s loss will be the Gunners’ gain.

“Naturally, I was sad, as a United fan, to see Welbeck leave this week,” Scholes told the Independent. “My feeling was that if he could have got through this transfer window and stayed at the club he could have been a part of United’s future over the next few years. It shows how highly regarded Danny is that a club as big as Arsenal signed him. He will be a good signing for Arsène Wenger. Danny will never be a 20-25 goals-a-season man but he could get Arsenal 10-15.” – Goal.com.

Despite Welbeck’s departure, Scholes is excited at the prospect of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and the newly arrived Falcao terrorising defences this season, although he admits that with only two spots for three players Louis van Gaal faces a tough challenge to keep all of his superstar strikers happy.

He added: “When I watched Radamel Falcao play for Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco I saw a striker with excellent movement and a goalscoring record that is simply out of this world.

“At United, on loan for this season initially, Falcao creates competition in United’s forward line. There is no way that Louis van Gaal can play Rooney, Robin van Persie and Falcao together. It will have to be two from three and which two it is hard to say as yet.

“I don’t think the league title is realistic but Champions League football is the aim. Now it is over to Van Gaal to shape the team.”

Meanwhile, Nikola Zigic has insisted reports linking him with a shock move to Arsenal were true despite Wenger’s denial.

Speculation that the striker, who left Birmingham at the end of last season, was on Wenger’s radar grew after Giroud was ruled out for up to four months – interest Zigic’s agent confirmed.

Wenger quickly dismissed the talk when asked – “Who? No.” – but Zigic has maintained an approach was made before Arsenal opted to sign Welbeck for £16 million on deadline day.

“Everything that you saw in the Press was true,” Zigic told IBTimes. “My agent was talking with Arsenal but they finally opted for another player (Welbeck).

“We talked with them until the last days of the market. I am very happy because Arsenal had me on their list. I would have liked (to join them) but big teams always consider several alternatives.”

Zigic is not deterred by the collapse of a move to the Emirates Stadium and insists “several clubs” continue to track him.

“I do not rule anything in the future,” he added. “I am still looking for options. We’re talking to several clubs and I think we will make a decision soon.” -Goal.com.