Enrique: Pedro 'Loved By Everyone'

Barcelona manager Luis Enrique insists Pedro is a player "loved by everyone", and will be glad when the transfer window is shut.

The Spanish champions have only three days to recover from Tuesday's thrilling 5-4 UEFA Super Cup win in extra time over Sevilla, decided by substitute Pedro in Tbilisi, as they face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup first leg on Friday.

The Spaniard has attracted interest from Manchester United, according to Sky sources, but Enrique's stance remains the same.

"Nobody knows at the moment if he will start. I won't make my decision based on the market," Enrique said.

"He didn't start in Tbilisi because a few days before he had to stop training (with an injury) and it is an unusual and difficult situation.

"It is a contradiction. He wants to stay but he also wants to have more minutes. I will continue to play those that I think are best for each match.

"What I am looking forward to though is the end of the transfer window so that everything will then be clear."

After the Sevilla win Pedro reacted angrily to comments from the club's technical secretary Robert Fernandez that he wanted to leave but was unclear about his future describing it as "complicated".

"I will not get involved in any more controversy. He is a player that is loved by everyone," said Enrique.

"I think he is showing the same spirit he has demonstrated during all the pre-season. We all know that this is a difficult and unusual situation."

Credit: Skysports.com