Moyes, who was sacked after just 10 months in charge at Manchester United, claimed that Danny Welbeck didn’t train hard enough and that Welbeck should consider putting in extra training.
“I was pretty surprised at that to be honest,” said England’s Welbeck, 23.
“Before he made that statement I was doing extra training. Maybe he just didn’t see it.”
He spoke of Welbeck in December:: “We had a word with Welbeck about a month ago and we said that he needs to be the last off the training field.
“Wayne Rooney’s out there practising his finishing each day. I said: ‘Danny, you need to be out there every day finishing, even if it’s 15 minutes at the end’.”
Welbeck, who netted 11 times in 24 appearances last season, has been selected in Roy Hodgson’s England squad for Brazil.
“I’ve grown up at Manchester United and been professional all through my career and I always do extra work,” he said.
“It’s born and bred in me to do extra work after training and maybe he wasn’t seeing that extra stuff. I was doing extras in the gym and on the pitch.”
United finished seventh in the Premier League last season, after a title defence that featured defeats to Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. It is the first time The Red Devils have not qualified for the Champions League since 1995/1996 and the first time United have missed out in Europe completely for 25 years.
Welbeck also admitted it was a “frustrating” season for him personally as well, as he was “played out of position” on the left wing.
“I’d like to play central,” he said. “I’ve been playing on the left for a while and it’s got to the time where I want to stake a place up front.
“My goals per game ratio is better for England. I’m much more free up front as there are three in midfield and three up front. Maybe I’m kind of let off the leash a bit more for England than United.
“I heard the news [about Van Gaal’s appointment] and I am happy. Looking at his CV tells you he has managed at some big clubs.
“I want to make sure I show my quality.”
Welbeck was also interviewed in April about his future at The Red Devils after claims suggested that he was considering quitting United, however Welbeck declined to respond.
By Ollie Carroll
Twitter: @OllieCarroll99
Instagram: @olliechelseafc
