Van Gaal says Welbeck was sold for not scoring 'enough' goals

Manchester United football team boss Louis van Gaal has said that 'home-grown' striker Danny Welbeck was sold because he did not score enough goals.

But, Van Gaal has insisted that he would give homegrown players a chance. While the Dutchman presented his two latest signings, Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind, he explained why Welbeck was sold to Arsenal for 16 million pounds.

Van Gaal said that Welbeck played three seasons for the first team, but he doesn't have the record of Robin van Persie or Wayne Rooney and added that that is the standard, The BBC reported.

The Dutchman said that that is why United let him go, because of Falcao, but also to allow the youngsters to fit in, as that is the policy and that is why he is there.

Welbeck joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day in a deal their manager Arsene Wenger revealed almost did not happen.

The Manchester-born forward, who scored both goals for England in Monday's 2-0 victory over Switzerland, netted 29 times in 142 United appearances.

Welbeck's international teammate Rooney has scored 217 goals for United in 445 matches, while Dutchman Van Persie has hit 48 in 78 games.

Van Gaal said that United has let 14 players go, they have only brought six players in, adding that that means there are many positions vacant, and they are vacant for the youth.

Van Gaal said that he has already used a lot of youngsters in the season and pre-season, so he is always willing to give young players chances, but added that they have to take the chances.