How Welbeck's FA Cup goal left Ferguson 'buzzing'
After Danny Welbeck scored the extra-time winner against Newcastle to send Brighton into the FA Cup quarter-finals, an unexpected name popped up on his mobile phone."[Sir Alex Ferguson] actually phoned me after the Newcastle goal," he told Football Focus."He talked about the goal and the performance. He was buzzing and to have that sort of connection, he is a manager who is always looking out for his players, always wants the best for them, and still to this day is in contact."Welbeck's career started under Ferguson at Manchester United where he was part of the squad that won the Premier League in 2013.The striker moved to Arsenal the following year and helped them to lift the FA Cup twice, something he is now hoping to help Brighton achieve as the Seagulls prepare to host Nottingham Forest in the quarter-finals on Saturday.With Ferguson and then Arsene Wenger, it was not a bad pair of managers for him to have worked under, and two who he says influence who he is today."Sir Alex Ferguson got success in his own way, Arsene Wenger had success in his way," he added. There's different ways to reach success. "Them two managers played a huge part in my life, not just my career."Watch the full interview with Welbeck on Football Focus, BBC One, Saturday 29 March 11:30 GMT.The FA Cup quarter-final tie between Brighton and Nottingham Forest (17:15 GMT) is live on BBC One and iPlayer.
Welbeck hoping to experience 'special' feeling again
Welbeck is now working under Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.At 34, Welbeck is two years older than Hurzeler but the German has had a strong impact on the veteran forward that has helped him produce some of the best form of his career.He has hit seven Premier League goals so far this season - more than he has managed in any of his previous four campaigns at the Seagulls."His age is never a topic around the training ground," Welbeck said of Hurzeler. "I think that speaks volumes of him. "From the first meeting with the group he was so authoritative and so clear with his ideas. Now I never think about his age, he is just the manager."Hurzeler has continued the good work of his predecessors Graham Potter and Roberto de Zerbi, and he has the club challenging for Europe this season.But Brighton have never won the FA Cup, finishing runners-up in 1983, and Welbeck hopes to rectify that this term."I've had some really special times with the FA Cup," he added. "It has been proper highlights of my career and they are memories that stay with you forever."You want to feel those special moments again."
'Injuries made me a better person and player'
Despite having won an impressive amount of silverware, Welbeck's career has been hampered by injuries.He previously had almost a year out after knee surgery and also missed 42 games at Arsenal because of a broken ankle.This season, however, has seen him stay largely injury free and that has helped him to enjoy some of the best form of his career.He is now one goal away from becoming Brighton's outright all-time top scorer in the Premier League as he sits on 30 alongside Pascal Gross."I've been really unlucky with injuries in the past – contact ones like knee injuries, people falling into your knee and you fall into awkward positions," said Welbeck."It is difficult to go through those moments but they have made me a better person and a better player because there's always positive you can look into with the negative side of things. "I always try to see the positive and try to make myself better in those difficult situations."Injury-free and in fine form, Welbeck is hoping this season can be a memorable one both on a personal level and for Brighton.
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