The Red Devils were thought to be leading the race to sign the Spain worldwide earlier this week after chief executive Ed Woodward was reported to have flown to Barcelona to finalise a deal.
Advertisement
The former Barcelona forward completed his move to London on Thursday, having been at the centre of a long-running transfer saga involving United over recent weeks.
Everton defender John Stones has been linked with Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.
Van Gaal, 64, confirmed to reporters at the Press Conference ahead of the game against Newcastle United that he is happy with his current squad and could play the remainder of the season with what he has.
“I have no separation with Ed Woodward“.
Relations between United and Madrid are said to be strained amid the protracted David De Gea saga, but that deal could still prove a bargaining tool, according to reports. I know we work well together on the pitch so I can’t wait to play with him again.
‘It is common knowledge that United were in the bidding for Pedro, but Chelsea were faster and within 24 hours reached an agreement with the club.
“I can not answer these questions”, Van Gaal said before launching a tirade at the media.
The Dutchman insists the lure of Manchester United remains as strong as their desire to hold on to their two-time player of the year.
Mourinho claimed not to be aware of that run but smilingly added one of his own for those of a superstitious bent: after previously starting the season with a 2-2 draw, at Porto and Inter, he went on to win the treble. I have the responsibility of protecting the interests of the club and my players and I can not say too much.
It would be heresy to say that Pedro was just a part-time player at Barcelona. “Ed Woodward is doing these things and he does them very well”, Van Gaal said.
But the United boss maintains he has a good relationship with Woodward and has faith in his ability to bring the best players to Old Trafford. It is not any pressure for me with something like that. “Only the players know, the clubs now and that is it”.
“I think when we want Pedro it was not any problem because there was a clause in his contract, ” Van Gaal said.
Pedro Rodriguez has admitted that Jose Mourinho and Cesc Fabregas both played a key role in his decision to swap Barcelona for Chelsea. “I think (it) is an evident sign of ambition”.
Advertisement
“He won everything playing with all these stars but he wants more and I’m really happy with that”.
