• FA Cup

Van Gaal: I was right to sell Welbeck

Danny Welbeck scored the winner against his former club © Getty Images

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Louis van Gaal says he was still right to sell Danny Welbeck to Arsenal - even after the former Manchester United striker scored the goal that knocked his old team out of the FA Cup.

Welbeck marked his first return to Old Trafford with a quarter-final winner, his eighth goal for Arsenal.

But although his replacement Radamel Falcao has only scored four goals, Van Gaal maintained he took the correct decision when he dispensed with Welbeck's services.

"In football, it happens," Van Gaal said. "It was also a surprise that Arsene Wenger put him in the starting line-up in that position.

"Also a lot of times clubs play a player against his old club because he shall be very motivated, but I think we gave that goal away."

Falcao has underachieved in his time at Old Trafford and was an unused substitute against Arsenal but Van Gaal defended the Colombian.

"But no [I don't regret Welbeck's sale]," Van Gaal added. "He [Falcao] has scored four goals and three or four assists and he stimulates also the other players so that is an aspect of a profession."

When he was confronted with Falcao's meagre goal tally, Van Gaal replied: "I cannot change that. I cannot change facts and you know that."

Van Gaal felt his side gifted Arsenal the victory and, in particular, the goals Nacho Monreal and Welbeck scored.

He explained: "It is very disappointing when you give the victory. You don't lose from your opponent, you have lost from yourself. That is the right expression and that is very disappointing. The players are very disappointed because you know that it could be different."

Antonio Valencia, with a poor backpass, was responsible for Welbeck's winner and Van Gaal added: "Of course a match shall be decided by goals and also this match has been decided by goals.

"When you see the second goal, it was nothing. We gave it away. The man who was doing that was the best man of my team and that is also for him so disappointing. He did it not with purpose."

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