Barcelona legend Gerard Pique has admitted that an “amazing” Manchester United legend would struggle if he played in modern football, despite praising his brilliance.
Gerard Pique was snapped up from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and brought to Old Trafford in 2004 under legendary former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The 37-year-old Spanish former defender continued his development in Manchester United’s youth academy before he was promoted to the first team at Old Trafford.
Pique made only 23 appearances for the Red Devils, with the Spaniard struggling to establish himself as a first-team regular under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The former United defender’s four-year spell at the Premier League club came to an end in 2008 after Barcelona re-signed him for a fee believed to be around £5m.
Following his return to Spain, Pique enjoyed incredible success at Barcelona and created a long-lasting legacy at the La Liga club.
The Barcelona legend lifted nine La Liga titles, three Champions League trophies and seven Copa del Reys during a glittering career at the Camp Nou.
Pique talks one Man Utd legend
Despite his struggles at Manchester United, Gerard Pique did lift a Premier League title, a Champions League and a League Cup during his spell at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson was an admirer of Pique and the former Barcelona and United defender was considered a top prospect during his time at the club.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Pique admitted that Gary Neville was a brilliant right-back and the United legend was “one of the best” in the club’s history.
I love Gaz [Neville] and he’s an amazing right-back, one of the best in Manchester United’s history, very English style, he loves to tackle and go to the grass,” he said.
“I remember one game against [Jose Antonio] Reyes at Old Trafford he just destroyed him, but it was his style, I love the guy.”
Pique thinks Neville would struggle in modern football
Gary Neville enjoyed a prolific playing career at Old Trafford and was a key figure for Sir Alex Ferguson after he inherited the captain’s armband from Roy Keane.
The 49-year-old spent his entire club career at United after breaking into the Red Devils’ first team, with Neville being one of the famed members of the ‘Class of ’92.’
Neville lifted eight Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and three League Cups under Ferguson.
Despite Neville’s glittering career on the pitch, Pique admitted that the United legend would struggle to stand out in modern football compared with other defenders.
“I think that football has developed so much in the last few years,” he said.
“I think any centre-back or right-back in the ‘90s or any left-back or any ‘keeper could not play now.
“Not because they didn’t have the talent, they had the talent, but because the way of playing is totally different.
“A ‘keeper of the ‘90s it was just about saving, now you have to play with the feet and they weren’t trained to do that.”