Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has hit back at Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov in the wake of the former Barcelona attacker's scathing criticism of the Dutchman. Stoichkov hit out at Van Gaal earlier this week when he advised Pedro to stay at Barcelona, claiming the ex-Netherlands boss was destroying United like he previously did to the Catalans. "You always have to bear in mind who has said something. And then I already know why he said it in this case. So it is not bothering me at all," Van Gaal said at a press conference. "As a manager, you have to make certain decisions. And Stoichkov is one of the players I sent away at Barcelona. That's the only reason why he is saying stuff like this." Stoichkov enjoyed two successful spells with Barcelona between 1990 and 1998, but his time at the club came to an abrupt end after he fell out with Van Gaal.