Ed Woodward is an easy target. United fans should trust Louis van Gaal on opting against Pedro

Before Manchester United fans begin burning effigies of Ed Woodward and demanding that the club’s much-maligned chief executive be sent for a spell on the ducking stool at Salford Quays, it might be worth taking a deep breath and asking yourself one question: how much do you trust your manager?

In trying to split fact from fiction and some predictable outrage from the rank and file about Woodward's alleged latest epic fail during this transfer window, the most telling but understated comment regarding their pursuit of Pedro from Barcelona were the cold hard facts behind the boardroom machinations: United did not lose out to Chelsea in attempting to sign the Spain forward. It was Van Gaal who opted against the deal after apparently changing his mind.

It they knew what was to unravel, would United's fans have bought into last summer's signing of Angel Di Maria for £59.7m and Radamel Falcao, who scored four goals in a loan deal that cost the club £15.8m? Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but so too is foresight.

Di Maria and Falcao were simply names who did not contribute to the overall well-being of United as they trailed home in fourth place last season.

If Van Gaal struggled to justify the signing of Pedro within his own mind then he was right to stand down to allow Chelsea to make room for the player.

Having already spent around £84m during the close season on Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian and brought in £55m bolstered by the sale of Di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain, United could easily have paid the money – a £22m fee was Pedro's release clause – but opted against it because of the manager’s misgivings.

There are rumours the player was unhappy with United’s stalling, but that will matter little if Van Gaal discovers the right formula moving forward. If anybody seriously believes United decided to drop the deal because they refused to pay an extra two million to Barcelona, Van Gaal would no longer be at Old Trafford. This is not Big Ron at the helm.

You either stand for something in this life, or fall for anything. Transfer policy should always come down to the learned Dutch martinet. It is Van Gaal’s squad. He will live or die by his squad whatever happens in the weeks and months ahead. It is imperative he signs players he feels fit into his strategy. Perhaps he learned a costly lesson in Di Maria - that all that glitters isn't gold.

With Memphis Depay replacing Di Maria and already resembling a natural in red, Van Gaal perhaps feels he is well covered for wide men. Or perhaps that Sadio Mane of Southampton, who they suddenly covet, is a better option in being a figure who has already proven himself in the Premier League.

With the news that Pedro is bound for Chelsea, it seems everyone is quick to regurgitate memories of the ridiculed 'Moyesian' summer of 2013 when Woodward appeared to be led a wild goose by Cesc Fabregas, Ander Herrera (who has since touched down at Old Trafford) and Thiago Alcantara. And they only landed Marouane Fellaini for £27.5m.

Nobody was complaining on the final day of last summer, yet that did not turn out to be the roaring success it was held up to be. Ed - The Equaliser - Woodward can hardly be accused of losing. United have already supported Van Gaal with £230m over the past year. They are not going short.

Pedro, 28, scored 99 goals in 321 games for Barcelona. He won five La Liga titles with the club, but crucially could not attain first-choice status in Catalonia. He has not yet turned out in the Premier League.

United remain a work in progress, but the scaffolding would have remained in place even if Pedro had been added.

Nothing needs rescuing at United, only improving. Fans are fickle. Van Gaal's lot have opened the season with three wins in the Premier League and the Champions League. Positive results more than players are always more poignant.

Van Gaal says he continues to seek speed and creativity. The Pedro pursuit appears to be a diversion that will be painted as worse than it is simply because Chelsea nabbed him. Some of the comments about United and Van Gaal being embarrassed by the Pedro situation do not really make sense. This is a business decision. Louis knows best.

A forward with real speed and a strapping central defender surely remains the pressing requirement for the side. Just because United are not linked with a player, does not mean they are not busy working on further recruitment.

A red-chip rather than blue-chip name could yet adorn Old Trafford. There is almost fortnight of this window remaining. How much do United fans trust their manager?