Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal, has defended Ed Woodward, after the club missed out on Pedro Rodriguez.
The Red Devils were favourites to land the Spain international, but has instead joined rivals Chelsea in a £21million deal.
Woodward has been criticized in some quarters over the collapse of the transfer, but Van Gaal insists the executive vice-chairman is an experience negotiator.
“I don’t think they have to doubt Ed Woodward because he has proven for many years that he is the right person in the right spot,” he said in a news conference on Friday.
“I have the idea that you want to separate Ed Woodward from me. Never. Never. Every day I am updated by him and I trust him.”
Van Gaal however admitted that he is an admirer of Pedro, but insisted that he was never in the market for the player.
“I think if we want Pedro, it was not any problem so because there was a clause in his contract so it was the most easy transfer,” he added.
“You can write what you want but we cannot say what we want. I have the responsibility of protecting the interests of the club and my players and I cannot say too much.
“I admitted that Pedro fits in my profile but I cannot deny that because he is fast and creative. I answered that question because I think it is obvious. Then you put it in another perspective and [say] he is coming to Manchester United. I have never said that. You have to ask Pedro.
“People have to know that what is written in the papers is not true. You cannot know it. Only the players know, the club know and that is it. Also Barcelona protect their interest. I have read that Barcelona does not want to let him go. You have to ask Barcelona how it can happen then.”
Comentarios