They are apparently big reasons why Erik ten Hag reportedly wanted to sign Danny Welbeck for Manchester United.

As a "perfect mentor" and "fabulous role model"?

Now the Albion striker has been hailed as both those things as he continues to shine in the south.

Welbeck is in great form so far this season with six goals in the Premier League.

But his general play and fitness have also stood out – making him the perfect example for younger players like Evan Ferguson.

The Athletic reported, in a wide-ranging assessment of Manchester United, that ten Hag asked his bosses about bringing back Welbeck from the Sussex coast over the summer.

He had previously wanted Harry Kane and it is said there was “serious thought” over making a bid for Welbeck.

Reasons included his influence on younger players, notably Rasmus Hojlund.

Now former Scotland frontman Ally McCoist has spoken about how Welbeck is the perfect mentor for club team-mate Ferguson.

While talking reportedly went on behind closed doors in Manchester, Welbeck happily signed a new two-year-deal with Albion.

That will take his association with the club to almost six years – having initially signed up for just one season.

Speaking to talkSPORT BET, McCoist said: “Danny Welbeck is the perfect mentor for Evan Ferguson. When he first broke through, Ferguson absolutely hit the ground running and I remember raving about him at the time. I still think he’ll be a top striker because his quality of finishing, and the different types of finishes he can produce, is excellent.

“He hit a slight stumbling block with his injury, but that won’t necessarily be a bad thing for him. He won’t have thought it at the time, but for a young player it can sometimes help them to come back out of the team and watching again. Hopefully that’s been the case for him because he’s a very intelligent player.

“He’s got a fabulous role model in Welbeck. They’re different types of players and I would never make a comparison between the two, but Ferguson needs to be watching Welbeck every day in training and in games. He is the perfect teacher and Ferguson is the perfect pupil.”

Crucially, Welbeck enjoyed a strong pre-season, playing throughout the summer schedule while other saw their progress hindered by injury or international duty.

There are some calls for him to be restored to the England squad.

McCoist believes that, if it had not been for injuries, he would have “a hell of a lot” more England caps.

He added: “It’s brilliant to see Danny Welbeck playing so well at the moment.

“He’s pacey, he plays on the shoulder, he’s a proper old-school centre forward.

“He positions himself so well in the six-yard box and when you look at it, he scores so many goals sliding in at the back post to finish off moves.

“He’s been great so far this season, he’s a key part of what they’re doing at Brighton and more power to him for that.

“I interviewed him before a Manchester United game once, what a breath of fresh air he is. He’s a brilliant lad. He’s so unassuming and just a genuinely nice guy. He’s one of those players where I met him, did an interview with him, then I was looking for his team’s results and always wanting him to score.

“He struggled a little bit earlier on in his career with injuries. If he’d stayed injury free, I think he’d have a hell of a lot more England caps than he does.”