Danny Welbeck may have scored the goal that put his former club out of the FA Cup , but he was not the only former Old Trafford star who was on target on Monday night . On an evening where Manchester United lacked creativity and firepower , three players they have let go in recent years scored around Europe to win their side crucial matches . To add to Arsenal striker Welbeck 's triumphant Old Trafford return , on loan winger Nani - deemed surplus to requirements by Louis van Gaal - and French midfielder Paul Pogba scored for their clubs . Danny Welbeck slots home the winning goal after rounding David de Gea at Old Trafford on Monday . Welbeck celebrated passionately after scoring the goal that knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup . Welbeck was one of three former United players who netted vital goals on the same evening . Pogba , who was allowed to leave United by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012 after failing to sign a contract with the club , scored a stunning volley from the edge of the box to give Juventus a 1-0 win over Sassuolo . The 82nd-minute goal put the 'Old Lady ' 11 points clear at the top of Serie A , and keeps them on course for a fourth straight title . In Portugal it was Nani - still technically a United player - who popped up for the winning goal for Sporting Lisbon in their 3-2 win over Panafiel . Paul Pogba unleashes a superb 82nd minute volley which won Juventus the game against Sassuolo . The Frenchman used to be at United , but was allowed to leave after playing just three league games . Pogba has become a vital part of a Juventus side on course to win yet another Italian title this season . Van Gaal has reportedly not spoken to the Portuguese winger since he was allowed to leave Old Trafford , but Nani showed he still has the quality to make the difference when it matters . Down to ten men , Sporting had let a two-goal lead slip before Nani arrived to score a diving header and secure all three points against the Portuguese league 's bottom side . The win keeps Nani 's side in the hunt to qualify for next season 's Champions League , something Van Gaal 's United look increasingly unlikely to do . But none of those will hurt as much as Danny Welbeck 's strike on Monday night , which was not only another winner from an ex-United player , but also against his former club . Nani celebrates after scoring the winner for 10-man Sporting Lisbon in a 3-2 win over Penafiel . The Portuguese winger was allowed to leave on loan after Louis van Gaal decided he was not needed . Unlike the Frenchman Pogba or the Portuguese Nani , Welbeck is a product of United 's academy . But after Van Gaal deemed him not good enough for Old Trafford - preferring expensive flop Radamel Falcao to warm the subs bench - the 24-year-old proved he can still score at the Theatre of Dreams . On Monday , United could have done with the composure , bravery and quality shown by Welbeck , Nani and Pogba - but all three had been allowed to leave . All three players were allowed to leave Old Trafford , and have done well elsewhere since moving .
Danny Welbeck scored the winner for Arsenal against Paul Pogba . Manchester United and Nani also both netted winners for their clubs on Monday . All three players were allowed to leave United and have done well since . READ : Man Utd have n't beaten a side in the current top half of the Premier League since December . READ : Paul Pogba are playing Hackney Marshes football . CLICK HERE for all the latest Paul Pogba news .