Are You Happy To See Pique Leave For £3 million?
Manchester United have been incredibly solid defensively this season, claiming an incredible 21 clean sheets out of the 38 league games, as well as conceding just 22 goals. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have had a lot to say in that defensive record, both showing themselves as some of the best, if not the best, centre backs in Europe.
Vidic’s fearless nature, sticking his head or leg in to any dangerous situation to make sure the ball is cleared, has seen him pick up several injuries this season. During this time, Wes Brown, who has been filling in for an injured Gary Neville all season, has been moved to the middle, with the versatile Owen Hargreaves playing the full back role.
Gerard Pique has been overlooked for the majority of the season though, after returning from his loan spell last season. His costly error against Bolton at the Reebok earlier in the season saw us lose all three points to our failing neighbours, who sadly avoided relegation (although I will thank them for their late goal at Stamford Bridge which saw United escape becoming a statistic of a club winning the league on goal difference).
Pique did however get a few successful Champions League games under his belt this season though, scoring two goals in his three appearances in the competition, as well as defending solidly. He made a good show of himself for 90 minutes in our recent league victory over Arsenal, as well as making another 9 appearances for us in the league and League Cup.
Ahead of United’s crucial clash with Barcelona at the Nou Camp there was talk of Gerard Pique filling in for Vidic, however, Fergie spoke quickly to dispel these rumours. The manager believed it would be too much for the defender to return to his former club, who he still has much affection for, in such a vital game.
Today, reports in Spain suggest that Pique is ready for a move back to La Liga, with the deal supposedly going through after the European Cup final.
El Mundo Deportivo has today said that Barcelona are prepared to pay £3.75 million for their former youth player, if terms on a 4-year-deal can be agreed with the club. Apparently, Pique is happy with the salary they are offering and is eager to sign.
Whilst Vidic and Ferdinand and clearly superior to him, we are rather short on defensive cover if either of these two are injured. Wes Brown will more than likely resume his place on the bench next season, with the likelihood being a new right back will be signed this summer to replace Neville long term. However, after him, there is only Silvestre, who also might be departing at the end of the season, and John O’Shea who could fill in for our starting defensive duo.
However, Pique is no mug, and whilst progression in cup competitions might see his appearance total rise, he is sure to know he won’t be replacing Vidic or Ferdinand as a starter any time soon.
Would you be happy enough to see Pique leave in the summer?
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PIque’s an undoubted talent, and given the opportunity it seems to me he could become one of the best defenders in europe in a few years.
However, it’s unlikely he’s gonna get the kind of run he needs at united, our defence being as solid as it is.
I want him to stay, and i think 3.7 mil would be much too little to sell for. But you can’t blame the lad for wanting a better opportunity than we can currently afford him.
I really hope we don’t sell Pique as i think he could be a really good player.
We have been lucky this season with injuries, but if Rio or Vida suffer a long term injury (touch they dont) we don’t have a lot of cover.
We always pay high for players, good that they are approx £17m each for Anderson, Nani, Hargo, Carrick and I am not saying that they arn’t good players but expensive.
We always sell low Nicky Butt, Barthez, Alan Smith, Phil Neville.
Hope we don’t sell him but if we do get good value as he is only 21 and has tremendous ability.
let fergie swap with giovani dos santos it will be a good deal..they are both young players and giovani could fit in perfectly at man utd
You can’t compare Barthez, Smith,P.Neville & Butt to Hargreaves,Nani, Anderson & Carrick they are streets apart. We should let Larry White over at Bordeaux sign Sylvestre for around 4 million and use Pique more to keep everyone fresh and be 1 million better off, plus lower wages for a better player who could become worth 20 million.
NOOOOOO…. I really want him to stay and United should try and convince him that he has a future with us. Yes, he has had limited opportunities, but he has great potential, we bought him when he was young (came through reserves), and we do not have a back-up.
He needs to stick to us and prove that he is loyal. He will get his chance. Maybe another loan to prove that he can actually be a back-up so that we don’t have to bring Brown to the center…CL semifinal…
No, I don’t want to see him leave. And certainly not for such a pittance. But I understand that he wants to play regularly, and in Spain. If a move can’t be avoided, then United should ask for a decent price in return.
He’s got to be as slow as O’Shea but he’s done well and was good enough when he faced Arsenal at home, travelled to Villa Park and travelled to Rome. Sir Alex doesn’t mix and match with central defensive partnerships so if Pique feels he has to leave, then he should but United would probably like to see him stay
Never been that fussed on him, he seems to lack pace and his mess up at bolton cost us valuable points
maybe he is better suited to spain?
if he wants to go we shouldnt stop him . playing for united should be a major incentive in itself . it wad be sad to see him leave .
i think anything from 5-8 mill would be reasonable for him . if he goes i’d like to see us sign wheater from boro or garay from racing santander
Wouldn’t like to see him go - I reckon he’s good cover for Rio (similar type of player)… and we’re not exactly loaded with good centre halves…
Please keep Pique. We can use him as a full back sometime and he is by far the best backup CB we have. 3.7 mil is nothing for us, I would sell him for less than 10-12m pounds.
if we have to sell a defender to make room for somone as talanted as pique then so be it. there is alot more less talanted ahead of him that have to go. sylstever being number one. i dont think utd fans need to fear as fergie is clearly in control of whats going on and he’ll make the final decision and it is sure to be the rigt one.
I like the suggestion above - Pique to Barca; dos Santos to UTD.
a pique–dos santos swap?
lol you guys have been playing football manager too much.
anyways I would love for him to to stay as he has looked decent in most of the games he has played in.
but no player should be kept against their wish. If he wants to go then utd should let him as there is no point keeping a player whose heart is not there although 3.75mill I would have thought is too low as there is no doubt the boy has talent.
robbo the red- in an ideal world that would be a good idea. but we dont have an ideal world!
mikael is a squad player now, and like others he seems to be getting on with it without a fuss. whos to say pique would be happy getting more games but still as a backup?
its like rossi, if ur too good to stay and sit on the bench, ur gonna wanna leave.
Thik it would definately be a mistake…….UNLESS we signed Richards!
Think Pique is class though
evans is the better prospect anyway. fergie’s said it himself.
There is no denying that the lad is good but to be honest he wont have too many chances next season, even if Vida or Rio miss our first option is Brown and Neville will be playing at RB again next season, remember we also have Evans who is another very good player. If we can guaranty games for Pique the best for him is to move and remember next season his contract ends.