Van Gaal has no regrets on swapping Welbeck

Louis van Gaal insists he does not regret swapping Danny Welbeck for Radamel Falcao last summer.

The Man United manager said he stands firm on his choice, despite Welbeck scoring Arsenal’s FA Cup match-winner last night against his old team.

Welbeck joined the United academy as an eight-year-old but was sold by Van Gaal in September to make way for Falcao.

While the Colombian has struggled for form since moving to Old Trafford, Welbeck reminded United fans of his qualities on Monday evening by scoring the winner in Arsenal’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory.

Asked whether he had any regrets over trading Welbeck for Falcao, an agitated Van Gaal said: “He (Falcao) has scored four goals, had three or four assists and he stimulates the other players, so that is an aspect of the profession. But it is now easy for you to say that and you are happy to say that.”

Welbeck’s winner came after an error from Antonio Valencia as his underhit backpass was seized upon by the forward on the hour mark.

“It’s very disappointing when you give the victory to your opponent,” said Van Gaal.

“When you haven’t lost because of the opposition, you have lost because of yourself.

“The players are very disappointed because they know that it could be different. Matches are decided by goals and you see the second goal, it was nothing, we gave it away. The man who did that was the best man of my team and that’s also disappointing for him.”

To add to United’s disappointments, they also had Angel Di Maria sent off for tugging on referee Michael Oliver’s shirt after he was booked for diving.

“I think he’s touched the referee and that’s forbidden in every country, so he has no excuses,” said Van Gaal.

“In Spain he knows that he doesn’t touch the referee, but that is also in his emotion. I’ve already spoken with him, he knows my opinion but also I have to see on the video.”