In the early hours of 2 September Danny Welbeck left Manchester United, the club he has been associated with since he was six years of age. Although he was spotted by the United scouts when he was six years old, he was eight when he was eventually picked up by the academy of Manchester United. This is the same academy where Fergie tweaked to perfection, creating the United it is today, the United that is known worldwide for their success on the pitch. The famed youth system created the 'Fergie's Fledglings' which teared the European scene by storm. So why is the sale of Englishman Welbeck who is still only twenty-three years old so shocking to me?

Firstly Welbeck was the last Mancunian senior in the Manchester United squad. Manchester United was part of Welbeck's identity. When I heard the rumours that the Englishman could be leaving, I didn't think there was a chance he would leave the club where he was born and raised through the youth system. The rumour was just a rumour to me. How could United allow their production leave the club when he still has so much unfulfilled potential. Welbeck was United through and through, he was never suppose to leave the club.

The fact that Manchester United sold their youth product to a rival club like Arsenal says a lot. The future will change with the Dutchman in charge and it already has rapidly. By selling Welbeck to Arsenal shows that the current crop of youth players are just not good enough. There hasn't been a consistent performer that has came through during recent times like Scholes or Giggs. They will have a moment of genius but will then fade into the darkness.

Manchester United are changing as they are becoming a club that buys players for crazy amounts of cash rather than producing. What happened to United creating the talent through their famed youth system? We've seen clubs that neglect their academies and just concentrate on purchasing world class talent to their team. Manchester United to me is always a club with heritage and pride. Xavi has been be quoted, paraphrasing: "I noticed (Sir Alex) Ferguson say that no matter how many players Madrid buy, they will never have the moral fibre of Barca." Manchester United are becoming Real Madrid.

Times are changing for United and maybe this is the new era that football is heading in but Welbeck was United through and through, he was never suppose to leave the club.