Gerard Pique, who has gone on to help his club win the European Cup and country win the World Cup since leaving United, has spoken of the great help Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were in his career.
“I learnt a lot, above all from Rio and Vidic who play in my position,” said Pique. “Playing with them was a unique experience. They help you so much on the pitch and show you how to move, to position yourself, to make the right decisions and that is a great experience. You could pay to have those types of lessons anywhere.”
Man Utd News 24/7
Some players just blossom when they go to another club. No regrets.
I hope Chris Smalling continues to listen as he seems to be doing, learning from the masters. It seems Jonny Evans has been kept behind after school for extra homework.
Of course, like all the other defenders, Rio learned a lot from Laurent Blanc, who was such a brilliant reader of the game. If only he’d come to United a few years earlier. I still loved watching him, even as his pace (such as it ever was) had gone, as his calm positional play was always a master-class in defending. Giggsy has also credited him on teaching him how to look after his body with exercises and diet. Great man, Larry White. I’m so glad he got a Premiership medal with United, cementing one of the great names in World football into United’s history.
always nice to read your comments Mr Oakley
hope you are well sir
I miss Pique.
. His composure on the ball is amazing.
World Cup worse than a dentist trip.. – Sir Alex..
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=838134&sec=uefachampionsleague&cc=4716
I miss pque so much, but we still have samlling hope he is gonin to be a graet definder…….
when rio and vidic are fit pique still wouldn’t start imo,very one paced for the prem not knocking him he’s a great player style more suited to a slower paced game
lot of rumours this morning that solskjaer will take over at molde at the end of the season… i say go for it ole.
Pique needs the right player alongside him, AND the right pace of game. He works well with Puyol because Puyol does all the donkey work whereas Rio and Vida are a fluid 50:50 partnership. Whenever Pique partnered Vida or Rio he looked slow and out of his depth.
Having said that, he has shone in La Liga and for Spain, and has made Puyol look a better player too, but he never would have broken into our back four.
here’s today’s nicely put champions league match preview
http://www.unitedzone.info/content/bursaspor-vs-manchester-united-match-preview-150/
Giles Oakley @ 11:37: “Rio learned a lot from Laurent Blanc, who was such a brilliant reader of the game. If only he’d come to United a few years earlier. I still loved watching him, even as his pace (such as it ever was) had gone, as his calm positional play was always a master-class in defending.”
I’m in total agreement with that assessment – that’s a key reason why my favourite player was Paolo Maldini who, so SAF once said, “never left his feet”. Rio aplomb in partnership with the steel provided by Vidic makes for a terrific combination. But, for those saying that Gerrard Pique wouldn’t play for UTD I have one question – how would you like him in the midfield “quarterback” role ?
Thanks Red Dave, I’m doing OK . All my latest test results are good.
Good call, Denton Davey (to quote that irritating advert) I love the way Pique goes forward, always looking for the attacking ball, passing accurately, not just a wild lash. That’s why it’s good to see Smalling going forward with surprising confidence, looking to set up attacks. I’m sure he’ll give possession away badly sometime, as he’s only a kid, still learning, so I hope people won’t get on his back or groan too much. Attack, Attack, Attack!
http://www.portugoal.net/index.php/more-manchester-united-news/18023-wenger-praises-virtuoso-nani
They’re starting to see it…
I feel that Pique blossomed too early for us and ultimately SAF felt that Evans would be the better investment. Who would not have wished that we had held on for 2 more years. I feel we would have won the league last year if Pique had been here to shore up the crisis in injuries that we had. I feel that the Hargreaves injury and Pique leaving were the two things that ultimately kept us from a sure shot at the trebble last year. But in the end, SAF was class to let Pique go and I feel that it is paying dividends in the positive press that we are receiving now. Hope Smalling and Evans continue to develop. Heard that Evans didn’t make the trip today as he has a knock. Any news on that?
at what time match starts (gmt) or is there any changes
Just putting it out there, but i don’t rate Pique as highly as everyone does, and by everyone i’m talking about the media included. He’s good don’t get me wrong but not sure why there’s always a wank fest when his name is mentioned. And the fact is when you play for barcelona as a defender is very different than playing in the same role in other teams. They don’t defend like other teams because right from the back the emphasis is on possession, when was the last time a team played against barcelona and put a striker playing on the shoulder of the defender ? Exactly. Until teams feel the confidence to take on the style of play and midfield head on their defenders will have a field day
The top young european stars, their agents (and their clubs) will be attracted by stories like Pique’s and Ronaldo’s. Players come first at United.
@slim
I don’t know either mate. I won’t take anything away from him, but even in his last season with us, he had problems with the physical aspect of the game in England. He is terrific with the ball at his feet, but I don’t think he was as commanding a defender as Vidic or Rio are. Maybe he improved at Barca and Spain. At the same time, it’s easier to a defender to play for teams that have so much ball possession..
I’m with Costas and Silm Jim(sorry couldn’t resist it) on this one. I would like to see how Pique would do against Kevin Davies and other physical strikers, each week in the premiership, doubt very much he would have it as easy.
My 2 bits, I don’t rate Pique in comparison to Vida and Rio. Don’t lump me with the ones who were gutted to see him go. Long term I think we will do well without him. My point was that he was a stout lad who controled the ball well and would have been good to have last year when the back line was falling left and right. Tell me I am wrong about that. Happy for the lad as he is a good fit at Barca. Happy for everything except that we could have used him last year.
@ fletch, who sid he wouldn’t be amongst the defenders falling left right and centre last year…..he is good…but enough for united? we may never know
Vds; Rafa, Small, Vida, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Fletch, Obertan; Berbatov
Subs: Kusz, Brown, Fabio, O’Shea, Bebe, Park, Hernandez
slim – Agree with you mate. He is great under no pressure but as as soon as teams attack he struggles. Anyway to be honest getting a bit sick of hearing about him. Isnt he the lad that “jokinly” spat at that geezers hair? And slagged United’s diet off? Smalling will turn out to be a right fucking player.
aig – Cheers mate. Quite like that line up.
Surprised Edwin in goal though. Thought it would be Thomas.
@KingEric
I totally agree with you mate Thomas and Macheda should get more minutes in games like Yesterday’s