Danny Welbeck transfer: Mike Phelan hits out at Manchester United for breaking the identity Fergie created
Homegrown striker Welbeck was allowed to leave the club by Louis van Gaal along with a number of other young English prospects
Former Manchester United manager Mike Phelan has hit out at his former club for selling Danny Welbeck - claiming the club's identity has been broken.
The England striker joined Arsenal on Transfer Deadline Day in a £16million deal, after the Red Devils secured the signature of Colombia hitman Radamel Falcao.
Homegrown Welbeck, 23, had spent 13 years within the Old Trafford set-up, rising through the clubs youth ranks to become a member of the first-team squad - as well as winning 26 caps for England.
And speaking on BBC radio 5 Live today, Phelan has admitted his disappointment that United are increasingly looking to sign players from elsewhere, rather than nurturing their own talent.
"Danny Welbeck has been part of United's identity and that has been broken," Phelan told BBC Sport.
"What will happen in the future now, nobody knows but that thread has been broken now."
United have spent big this summer, but mostly on foreign talent.
Angel Di Maria, Falcao, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind have all arrived, along with young England international Luke Shaw.
Meanwhile, English youngsters Tom Lawrence, Michael Keane and Nick Powell all joined Welbeck in leaving on Monday, either permanently or on loan.
It is seemingly a vastly different course to that spoken of by former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who in 2012 declared: "We are not like other clubs who can spend fortunes on proven goods. We invest in players who will be with the club for a long time, who will create the character of the club and the excitement for our fans.
Manchester United 2014/15 summer spending
"We are good at that and we are going to continue that way."
And Phelan has questioned the club's apparent change in philosophy.
"A good young kid coming through, part of the academy system and they've decide now that might not be the way to go," said Phelan.
"Obviously [there is] more and more money now in the game. [And United are] looking further and further afield for players but that's probably lost the Manchester United way a little bit."
Additionally, Phelan has praised Welbeck for seeking out a transfer, rather than being happy to merely pick up a wage at Old Trafford this season.
"Danny wasn't getting the opportunity he thought he'd get [at United] and is now at a very good club."
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