The Red Devils are keen on signing the Spain international
as a direct replacement for departed record signing Angel di Maria, who joined Paris Saint-Germain for
£44.3million last week.
Pedro, 28, is highly rated but has grown frustrated over his
lack of game time at the Nou Camp, having fallen down the pecking order
following the arrivals of Neymar and Luis Suarez.
A move to Old Trafford before the transfer window shuts seems
likely, but ex-Bulgaria international Stoichkov - who clashed with Van Gaal
during his first spell in charge of Barcelona - believes Pedro would be making
a huge mistake.
"I would never be under the orders of this Dutchman
[Van Gaal]," Stoichkov told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
"I would never leave if I was Pedro because if he goes
there he would no longer be a footballer. I hope Pedro listens to me and he
tells them [United] 'I am staying at Barcelona'."
Van Gaal sold Stoichkov to CSKA Sofia 17 years ago, but the
pain of leaving the Spanish giants is clearly still raw for the Bulgarian.
"He makes players suffer," said Stoichkov, who
branded Van Gaal "scum" during an interview in March.
"He is destroying all the players because he is so
mediocre, players have left because of him.
"He destroys clubs, he did it with Barcelona, and after
they take years to build.
"He has spent £200million [at United] and the other day
I saw his first game of the season: disastrous. He won 1-0 [against Tottenham]
because of an own goal."
Stoichkov thinks Barca have no reason to sell the Spain
international even though he is not considered a first-team regular.
"Barcelona don't need money, whether it's 20, 30, or 50
million," he added.
"Pedro is a symbol of Barcelona, a type of player with
energy, he fights to make himself great, why do Barcelona need to sell him?
"Why should they say goodbye to a player like
this?"
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