Louis van Gaal is DESTROYING Manchester United and Pedro should stay away, says Hristo Stoichkov

The ex-Barca man says his departure from the Nou Camp in 1998 was down to the Dutchman, and has urged Pedro to stay at the Nou Camp

Don't go: Stoichkov says Pedro should stay put

Former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov has urged Pedro to reject Manchester United's advances and stay at the Nou Camp - because Louis van Gaal is 'destroying' the club.

Stoichkov played under Van Gaal at the Catalan giants in the 1990s - and pins his exit firmly at the door of the Dutchman.

The Bulgarian says the United boss's treatment of Victor Valdes shows he is a 'bad person', and that Spanish international Pedro should not be considering a move to Old Trafford.

"I would never be under the orders of Van Gaal," the 49-year-old told Spanish radio Onda Cero . "He's mediocre.

"He destroyed Barca and is destroying Manchester United.

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"With what he has done to [Victor] Valdes he has shown he is a bad person. Hopefully Pedro listens to me and doesn't leave."

Stoichkov says he lost respect for Van Gaal after an incident involving the player's wife, after he had suffered an injury.

The striker scored 84 tunes in 175 La Liga appearances for Barca, before his departure in 1998.

"I have no respect for him," Stoichkov added.

Playing days: Stoichkov in action in 1994

"One day, when I was injured, I was with my wife at Camp Nou and Van Gaal went up to her.

"He asked her how it was possible that she married someone like me. She responded that I was a Ballon d'Or winner.

"My departure in 1998 was the fault of Van Gaal, for sure."