Danny Welbeck racist tweet: Police investigating vile and sickening Twitter post aimed at Arsenal striker after goal against Manchester United

Welbeck scored the match-winning goal against his former club on Monday night to knock them out of the FA Cup

Danny Welbeck celebrates after making it 2-1 (GETTY IMAGES)

Greater Manchester Police are investigating a vile racist tweet posted about Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck after he scored against his former club Manchester United in the 2-1 FA Cup victory on Monday night.

Welbeck also received death threats on social media after he scored the winning goal that knocked United out of the FA Cup and put the holders Arsenal through to the semi-finals, where they weill face either Reading or Bradford.

The sickening tweet, posted by a user named @AngeIsLeftFoot, contained a number of racist and derogatory references, that have been deemed too offensive to publish in full. It read: “Welbeck is dead to me, the f****** c**n…”

Officers from GMP were made aware of the tweet by another Twitter user, and a spokeswoman has confirmed that the matter is under investigation.

“We are aware of it and are investigating,” said the spokeswoman for GMP.

The account has since been deleted.

Welbeck left United in the summer after he was forced out by new manager Louis van Gaal, who deemed him surplus to requirement at Old Trafford with plans to bring in striker Radamel Falcao from Monaco.

The majority of United fans gave Welbeck a warm welcome during Monday night’s FA Cup clash, which was his first return to Old Trafford since leaving the club, and they applauded him when he was substituted in the 74th minute having witnessed him take full advantage of an error from Antonio Valencia to score the match-winner.

However, some areas of the home support did boo and jeer Welbeck, and the 24-year-old striker was also the victim of death threats on Twitter.

Michael Carrick and Danny Welbeck challenge for the ball (GETTY IMAGES)

According to the Manchester Evening News, a user by the name of Nolove said: “Danny Welbeck I will find you and I will kill you.”

Grande DeGea said: “Hey Welbeck, when you die, I will celebrate it in front of your family.”

Another added: “Somebody just KILL Welbeck! Can’t stand the a******! #RedOrDead#MUFC.”

Welbeck celebrated his goal like it was any other, and while this may have triggered a backlash from United fans, some were fully understanding of his decision to do so given the circumstances surrounding his United exit.

One Twitter user said: “LVG didn’t show him any respect by selling him why should he show us any?”

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher praised Welbeck’s decision to celebrate his goal passionately, posting on Twitter: “Brilliant celebration from Welbeck, none of that respect Man Utd fans nonsense. Did they not celebrate when Rooney scored out of respect?”