Danny Welbeck latest: Louis van Gaal refuses to comment on reports Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in striker

England striker, 23, has apparently been told he can leave Old Trafford

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Louis van Gaal today refused to comment on speculation linked Danny Welbeck with a move away from Old Trafford.

Arsenal and Tottenham are understood to be chasing a deal for the striker after he was told he is free to leave Manchester United during this window.

In a heated press conference at the club's training ground, Van Gaal refused to confirm or deny the story, but the new United manager admitted he was angry that details of a private conversation he held with Welbeck had been leaked.

Van Gaal said: "The media were not in the room and I do not speak about that because that's private.

"I know what I said to Danny and Danny knows exactly what I said to him.

"I assume that Danny Welbeck is not saying anything about our conversation and also in that conversation was (assistant manager) Ryan Giggs and he doesn't say (anything) either, and that is the way it should be."

Welbeck, 23, has just 18 months left on his contract and United are keen to cash in now, rating the England striker at £15m.

The England man enjoyed the best season of his career last term, scoring nine Premier League goals in 25 matches. His performances earned him a nod in Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad, where he started in the defeat against Uruguay and the draw with Costa Rica.

However, Welbeck is believed to have become frustrated at his role in the United squad, where he has fallen below Javier Hernandez in the pecking order under Louis van Gaal.

Welbeck has been suffering from a knee injury but had a limited role under the Dutchman during the pre-season tour of the US.

An Old Trafford source told the Evening Standard: “Danny has an astonishing strike rate for United and he has now reached a stage where he deserves to be playing first-team football or else his England career will suffer as well.

“United are happy to let him go but would prefer it was to a club that won’t be fighting for a Champions League place by the end of the season.

“But the reality is that there are plenty of top clubs who will be very interested in signing Danny.”

He has also been linked with moves to Hull City and Sunderland.