Danny Welbeck hits back at Louis van Gaal

Danny Welbeck has responded to Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal’s criticism of his goalscoring record by claiming he was played out of position at Old Trafford.

Welbeck joined Arsenal for £16million on transfer deadline day, with Van Gaal later revealing that he was happy to let the striker leave because his scoring record was below the standards required by United.

The England international scored a hat-trick in Arsenal’s 4-1 Champions League victory over Galatasaray to take his tally to four and he believes his improved scoring record is down to the fact that he is playing in his preferred position.

“Nobody can really criticise my finishing because they don’t really see me playing in a forward position too often,” Welbeck told reporters.

“But now I am getting into these positions I want to be sticking the ball in the back of the net. I’m sure it’s the same with every other striker.

“Obviously people can say I’ve not scored enough goals but you stick the best strikers on the wing in a four-man midfield and see if they score goals.”

Welbeck has grown in confident since making the move to the Emirates and he expects to continue his scoring spree as he continues to settle into his new surroundings.

“If you’re getting goals and getting a run of games in your preferred position, your confidence is going to grow and performances are going to grow as well. That is something I am really looking forward to doing, building on those performances,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say I feel different [than at United]. Maybe, beforehand, sometimes I wasn’t getting through on goal if I was coming from a four-man midfield.

“Obviously it’s difficult to leave your position and go and get goalscoring opportunities but I’m getting into these positions much more regularly now and I’m looking forward to sticking the ball in the back of the net.”