Pique is currently one of the best defenders in the world.
But he could have been one at United.
​Former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen has revealed that, in 2008, Sir Alex Ferguson and the club could do nothing but watch Gerard Pique re-join former club Barcelona.Â
Unfortunately for United, this was a move that certainly backfired. They watched as Pique went on to become one of the game’s finest centre-backs. He has won eight La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies, and the World Cup and European Championship with Spain since he left Old Trafford, along with a number of further domestic trophies.
Speaking on the ​Michael Anthony Show podcast, Meulensteen, Ferguson’s assistant between 2007 and 2013, claimed the problem stemmed from Nemanja Vidic’s recent arrival, meaning that Pique’s route to the first-team was made all the more challenging. Furthermore, coaches had already expressed their concerns over the Spaniard’s suitability for the English top flight.Â
In the end, the centre-back rejoined ​Barca for just £5m, having managed a mere six starts in the Premier League – and United’s former Dutch coach explained why the club felt they could let Pique go, saying: “I understand that, but you also had Ferdinand, Vidic, Wes Brown and John O’Shea, that’s how the club looked.”
“The reason why Pique was gone was that Gerard was a very strong minded person. He knew exactly what he wanted and he knew he was good enough to play first team football. However, was Gerard the ideal and right centre-back for a league like the Premier League? It has to be said, ‘not too sure.'”
He then added, confirming the ease with which Pique could return to Catalunya: “I think there was some sort of agreement in a clause with Barcelona and Manchester United and I’m 100 per cent sure that Gerard pushed for that guarantee.”
