The deal was in place.
Pedro to United looked such a certainty that more than a few Red Devils fans had gotten his name on the back of their jerseys as the transfer window drew to a close.
But all of a sudden, the Barcelona winger ended up at Stamford Bridge in a stunning Mourinho coup.
Rumours emerged that Louis van Gaal had opted out of the move and the Manchester United boss maintains that he could have gotten Pedro if he wanted to pull the trigger.
Louis van Gaal claims that #MUFC could have gotten Pedro if they’d wanted him http://t.co/rDekCuGI8M pic.twitter.com/MMpJoebEq8
— SportsJOE.ie (@SportsJOEdotie) August 21, 2015
But the Spanish international has revealed that he chose a move to the reigning Premier League champions rather than become part of LVG’s project at Old Trafford.
“I just saw that Manchester didn’t take that step,” Pedro said. “That they were taking too long and I needed a team to start.
“Chelsea were more decisive.”
There were suggestions that Van Gaal’s treatment of Pedro’s close friends Victor Valdes and David de Gea had prompted his move elsewhere but Pedro was quick to dispel those rumours.”
“It’s true that I don’t like that treatment for my colleagues, especially for Victor, who has been a reference as a teammate and as a professional.
“I don’t believe it’s fair, but it didn’t influence my decision.”
And Pedro has also claimed that Valdes was positive about all elements of his life in Manchester, except for his relationship with Van Gaal.
“He told me that the club was very good and there was a great fan following, that his only problem was the situation with the coach,” he said. “He spoke very well of the club.
“It’s a great club, but I believe I have chosen well to join Chelsea, I’m convinced.”
