David Beckham 'sad' to see Danny Welbeck leave Manchester United

David Beckham has admitted his disappointment at Manchester United's sale of Danny Welbeck.

Welbeck left Old Trafford on transfer deadline day, signing a four-year contract with Arsenal.

Beckham, who represented United between 1991 and 2003, has revealed his sadness at the departure of the England international.

"I think Manchester United have always brought players in but we've also had a great scouting system that Sir Alex Ferguson put in quite a few years ago, where we did create young talent and homegrown talent and I think that's what we've done over the years," he told BBC Sport.

"Obviously, seeing Danny leave, he's been there from a very young age, eight-years-old, and his heart was in Manchester so I'm sure he's sad to leave Manchester United but, for Arsenal, I think they've got a young, talented English player.

"But, obviously, to see him leave Manchester United, as a Manchester United fan, is sad but I'm not a manager."

Welbeck had initially been expected to leave United on loan, but the former Premier League champions sanctioned a permanent sale late last night.