Louis van Gaal hits back at Hristo Stoichkov who said he will destroy Man Utd

In a new report by Mailsportnline Louis van Gaal has dismissed Hristo Stoichkov's comments accusing him of 'destroying' Barcelona, while urging Pedro not to sign for Manchester United, as sour grapes.

The former Barca star was outspoken in his criticism of the United boss - who hit back emphatically on Thursday.

United travel to Aston Villa on Friday, but Van Gaal found himself more preoccupied with other matters.

'I always want to consider who is saying such things and I already know why,' he said.

'It is not bothering me. As a manager, I have to decide a lot of things. He is one of the players I sent away and that is why he is doing that.

They can comment but it is not always the truth what they have saying. That is always so in this world, especially in the football world. I'm used to that.

'When you hear that from Italy, (Luca) Toni says the same things. There are more players who are speaking highly about me than I have players that are saying the things that Toni or Stoitchkov are saying.'

Stoichkov didn't hold back when asked about Van Gaal earlier this week.

'Players suffer, because as a player he was so mediocre,' Stoichkov, who like Van Gaal had two spells at the Nou Camp, said.

'He destroys players because he was so mediocre. Look at the players who have left because of him.

'His first time at Barca he destroyed them, now he has invented another one to destroy and take years to rebuild.

Obviously there is a no love lost between both men.