FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.05.2009 11:46

Piqué admired in Manchester

Berta Brau

Gerard Piqué impressed during his time with Manchester United and his former manager and team-mates are not surprised to see how he has flourished since returning to Catalunya to play for FC Barcelona.

The central defender played for the Red Devils for three years and after less than a season since leaving Old Trafford he is set to face the Premier League champions as a first team regular for the Blaugrana.

Nobody at Manchester United is surprised to see how well Piqué is doing this term as he has become an integral part of the Barça side that ha already won the domestic league and cup double.

Sir Alex Ferguson

"I have always liked the boy. I did expect him to reach this level so quickly. He has fantastic qualities but most importantly, he has a good self-determination about him. He is a winner and a good professional. I always thought he would do well. We were disappointed to lose him, but we understood at the time that his family desire was to go back to Barcelona. He looked at Ferdinand and Vidic and wanted to be in the first team immediately. I can understand why he wanted to go back to Barcelona."

Nani

"It does not surprise me because he showed here how much talent he has. The problem is that in England the league is different from in Spain because things are more physical and the concentration is greater. Maybe that is why he did not play as much as he is doing now for FC Barcelona, but he is still a quality player."

Carlos Tévez

"The truth is that I am not surprised because know the type of player that he is. He showed at Manchester United the potential that he had, but his biggest problem was that Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were in front of him. I do not yet think he is has reached his peak and he still has a lot to learn. I am very pleased to see him playing regularly."

Nemanja Vidic

"Piqué is a great player and showed how good he is when he was here. I think that he was fine at Manchester United, but has now returned home where he knows the game well and wanted to play in that league. It does not surprise me to see how is playing because is a good player and I think we will face him in Rome."