Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round clash between Newcastle United and Brighton was an eventful affair, with Alexander Isak scoring an early penalty before Yankuba Minteh equalised just before the break.
Both sides were reduced to 10-men in the dying minutes of the 90 as Anthony Gordon and Tariq Lamptey were shown red, with the former now set to miss the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.
Fabian Schar thought he had won it in injury-time only for his superb volley to be ruled out by the semi-automated offside, sending the match to extra-time.
And with 114 minutes on the clock, substitute Welbeck scored the winner with a classy, dinked finish over Martin Dubravka.
‘You see Danny there, vastly experienced,’ United legend Keane said of the striker on ITV.
‘We talk about the magic of football and winning big games. The smile on his face, he’s like a kid.
‘This is the importance of the squad, your subs have got to come on and have an impact. We saw Danny’s enthusiasm, he’s a player whose won the trophy.
‘He’s 34 now yet he came on and made a difference. Newcastle’s subs came on and it seemed like it was a chore to them but Danny’s professionalism shone through there.’
Welbeck came through United’s academy, winning the Premier League in 2013 before joining Arsenal where he twice lifted the FA Cup.
The England International has enjoyed somewhat a career renaissance since moving to Brighton in 2020 and United even tried to re-sign last summer, with then-manager Erik ten Hag believing he would be an ‘excellent addition’.
Danny’s great to play alongside and if I’m being completely honest I would probably still like to see him here playing for Manchester United,’ Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney added on BBC Sport.
‘He’s scored goals throughout his career. Had injuries in the early part of his career but seems to have gotten over them and is having a fantastic season.’
Some have tipped Welbeck for an England recall – seven years after his last cap – and that’s something Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler thinks could happen, telling ITV: ‘It might be possible, but it is not my decision.
‘The only thing I can say is I am happy to work with him, he is a great leader, great role model and a great player.’
‘I think he knows that whenever I’m on the bench I am going to be analysing and making sure I can have an impact,’ Welbeck said of his manager.
‘I tried to do my best and thankfully I got the winning goal. We have got to push on. There’s a lot more to come from us as a team. It is exciting times and we’re looking forward to finishing strong.’
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