Louis van Gaal said Manchester United's decision to let Danny Welbeck go had been made before it became apparent United could bring in Radamel Falcao on his loan arrangement from Monaco and was essentially based on the player’s scoring record over the years.

“I have given all the players a chance to convince me of their qualities,” Van Gaal said. “Yes, Danny Welbeck was here from when he was nine. He has played, after [his 2010-11 loan at] Sunderland, three seasons at Manchester United but he doesn’t have the record of [Robin] Van Persie or [Wayne] Rooney and that is the standard. That is why we let him go – because of Falcao but also the youngsters who can fit in.”

Welbeck, with 29 goals from 142 United games, was sold to Arsenal for £16m on transfer deadline day,