Report: Welbeck left Manchester United after being demoted on depth chart

Danny Welbeck's deadline day move from Manchester United to Arsenal created shock waves in England, with the United academy product leaving his boyhood club for their North London rivals.

It appears Welbeck risked being stapled to the bench if he stayed at Old Trafford, according (paywall) to the Times' James Ducker. 

Ducker reports Welbeck would have been United's fifth choice at striker, behind Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and 18-year-old James Wilson.

While Rooney, van Persie and Falcao are established stars, Wilson's ranking ahead of Welbeck, 23, is surprising. Wilson scored two goals in his Premier League debut against Hull City last season. That remains his only league appearance for Manchester United to date.

Instead, Welbeck instantly becomes an important piece for the Gunners after Olivier Giroud's ankle injury ruled the Frenchman out until the New Year.

Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side.