The Dutchman was fielding questions from the press on Thursday, ahead of United’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa this evening, when a possible transfer for the Barcelona forward was raised.
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Despite Barcelona’s best efforts to hold onto the player, United remain hugely interested in Pedro and are attempting to negotiate terms over his £21.3m buyout clause, the Daily Mail reports.
Luis Enrique’s side added to their treble achievement of last season with a 5-4 UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla in extra time as wantaway forward Pedro scored the victor after coming off the bench in Tbilisi. The team already brought on Raheem Sterling and this comes as United has also been reported as an option for Pedro.
Midfielder Sergio Busquets said: “He is a player who has helped a lot, that deserves it. Who, as he said himself, doesn’t get all the minutes that he would like – and I think he deserves”. He will always give his all for the team, whether he stays here or moves on.
“Why should they say goodbye to a player like this?”
United have been heavily linked with a move for Pedro in recent months with Spanish outlet Sport reporting last week that Barca officials were due to arrive in Manchester this past weekend to try and trash out a deal. I’ve always given my all at this club.
With Brazil striker Neymar being struck down with mumps over the weekend, it had been thought Pedro would line up alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez up front in Barca’s starting line-up on Tuesday. Today I’m here, and I’m happy. “I don’t basically understand what he’ll decide on but what ever he’ll have our support”. I don’t know, I don’t know if I will continue here.
“He was very important for us and few could have matched him“.
Pedro looks set to start for Barcelona in their European Super Cup clash against Sevilla on Tuesday because Neymar has been ruled out through illness.
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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry said over the weekend that Pedro would be an upgrade on Di Maria for United given his work rate and style of play.
