Pique Lured By United Learning Curve
Sir Alex Welcomes Gerard Pique
" It took a lot for me to leave Barca, but a new phase of my life begins now." - Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique says Sir Alex Ferguson´s record of giving youngsters a chance is one of the reasons he joined United.
The Spanish Under-17 international told El Mundo Deportivo, " In England, age does not matter so much, but in Spain there is a structure and there are very few chances to break through."
Nevertheless, Pique admits it was still a tough decision to leave Barcelona.
" There have been seven years of my life where I have learned and enjoyed my football with Barca and I would not change that for anything in the world. It took a lot to make the decision to leave Barca. I was very happy there and had never thought about leaving.
" But after looking at the options and speaking with my parents and my grandfather - who have also helped me a lot - it was a suitable time for me. A new phase of my life begins now."
Pique is expected to spend much of his first season at United in the Academy.