Louis van Gaal claims that Manchester United could have gotten Pedro if they’d wanted him

Like a nightclub rejection, Louis van Gaal has claimed he could have gotten his target if he really wanted to.

Manchester United fans were baying for answers when their pursuit of Pedro came to an abrupt end on Wednesday and Chelsea officially announced him as their newest signing less than 24 hours later But United boss Louis van Gaal has explained in his press conference this morning that the Spaniard would have been a very attainable target for the Red Devils as all they had to do was trigger the player's release clause.

“I cannot answer these questions [on Pedro], you know that. I have said it before, that what we are doing is a process. “In that process we make decisions and I think when we wanted Pedro, it was not any problem.

“That is because there was a clause in his contract, so it was the easiest transfer."

Despite the rumours that personal terms between Pedro and Manchester United were in place early this week, Van Gaal also denied having any active interest in bringing the winger to Old Trafford.

“I have the responsibility of protecting the interests of my club and my players. “If you ask me if Pedro is fitting the profile [of United], I cannot lie, I say yes, but I didn’t say I am interested in the player. That is the difference. “He is fast and he is creative. That is why I understand the question.”

And the United manager also rejected any suggestions that the club ought to consider Ed Woodward's position after United's latest failure to secure a so-called target.

“I have the idea that you want to separate Ed Woodward with me. No, never. Every day I am updated by him and I trust him. “I don’t think they [the supporters] have to doubt Ed Woodward because he has proven already for many years he is the right person on the right spot.”