A positive recommendation from new team-mate Adam Lallana helped convince Danny Welbeck to join Albion.
The 29-year-old striker signed a one-year deal at the weekend and said, “I had talks with [Technical Director] Dan Ashworth and met members of staff but I also had a chat with Adam Lallana – agent Lallana! Everything was really positive and those conversations helped make up my mind.
“I know Adam from earlier in our careers and he gave me great reviews about the club and it was something that helped with my decision.”
Like Lallana, Welbeck is a Premier League winner and hopes that he can pass on some of his experience to the younger players in the squad.
“I was a young lad trying to make a name for myself at one point and I remember there were older professionals that you looked up to. I have a lot of memories of senior professionals helping me and I want to do the same.”
Those experiences includes being handed his Manchester United debut by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008 when he came on as a substitute against Stoke City at Old Trafford and scored in a 5-0 win.
MA+ members & STH only - Log-in required
Log-in required
“You dream of becoming a professional footballer and to do it for the team that you support was amazing. For me, it was a natural process – you get into the academy and then work your way up through the age groups.
“Growing up and being at Manchester United for so long, to get to the first team, pull on the shirt and then to play in the Premier League was the pinnacle.
“There’s so much stuff that Sir Alex taught me. But you learn about different mentalities and take advice from each manager you work with. I still speak to him - he is somebody who means a lot to me. He is such a nice guy who you can always talk to about anything and everything.”