Thierry Henry Believes Pedro Will Be the ‘Perfect’ Signing for Manchester United

The Red Devils are close to securing the services of Barcelona striker Pedro but Stoichkov says the 28-year-old would regret a move to Old Trafford as long as the Dutchman is in charge.

Goal reported last week that Manchester United had reached an agreement to sign Pedro from the Catalan club, but Neymar’s untimely contraction of the mumps threw up an obstacle to the deal.

“I would never be under the orders of [Louis] Van Gaal“, Stoichkov is quoted as saying by the Independent. Pedro is on contract at Barcelona until 2019, however, his release clause has been reduced dramatically.

Enrique said: “I have never decided to pick a player or leave him out because of the transfer window”.

Van Gaal sold Stoichkov to CSKA Sofia 17 years ago, but the pain of leaving the Spanish giants is clearly still raw for the Bulgarian.

Stoichkov says he lost respect for Van Gaal after an incident involving the player’s wife, after he had suffered an injury. “If the team don’t get off to a good start, they will be out of the title race for another year”.

Stoichkov thinks Barca have no reason to sell the Spain worldwide even though he is not considered a first-team regular.

Alves and his Barca teammates are now in Georgia preparing for Tuesday’s European Super Cup against Sevilla.

Enrique is adamant the doubts over Pedro’s long-term future will not stop him playing while he’s still a Barcelona player.

“Pedro’s future will be resolved shortly because there is not long to go until the transfer market closes”, the Barcelona coach told a press conference in Tbilisi.

“Manchester United will be getting an excellent player if they can complete the signing of Pedro”, Henry said.