Rooney: Danny Welbeck was right to leave Manchester United for Arsenal'

Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck

Wayne Rooney has claimed Danny Welbeck was right to leave Manchester United for Arsenal.

Welbeck faces his former club for the first time tomorrow when the Gunners host United at the Emirates Stadium.

And Welbeck's former team-mate, United skipper Rooney, said it was the right move for his fellow England striker.

"Of course, Danny has been here all of his life," said Rooney. "He is a Manchester lad so it is weird seeing him [there]. But that's football nowadays and players move on.

"I think, for Danny, and for his own personal career, it was probably the best move for him. He's done great and scored a few goals and is playing well.

"Danny gives you what he always gives you - a good shift. He works hard for the team.

"At times, as I said to him, he works a bit too hard but he's scoring goals and he's doing well."

United have not lost at Arsenal on their last three trips there and Rooney said Louis van Gaal's players will travel to the capital full of belief, despite an indifferent start to the season.

"We've had some great memories of the games we've played there and won there," Rooney told MUTV.

"But we've had some great victories in the Premier League as well.

"It's always a tight game and whoever gets the first goal normally wins or gets a result. We have to go there with a good team shape and a good unit to make sure we do everything right.

"Arsenal have got a good squad, an exciting squad with a lot of young players and a lot of English players which is great for England.

"We know they play with a lot of energy and we'll have to be at our best to beat them."