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Why buying back this ex-player would be a bad move for Manchester United:

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Here’s something I never thought would happen: Manchester United have been linked with a move for former-player and current Barcelona star Gerard Pique. Tabloid madness or a spark of inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson? Either way it’s a deal that’s worth considering.

Pique, now 25-years-old, spent four seasons with United before re-joining his home-town club Barcelona back in 2008. Now that he’s been with the Spanish Champions for four seasons, could he be about to complete the circle and return back to Manchester United?

First we should note that he has been a vital part of this Barcelona side ever since he arrived. As a result he has picked up three successive La Liga titles and won two Champions Leagues. In the meantime he’s established himself at International level for Spain and was part of the team that won the 2010 World Cup. For a man only 25-years-old, he has plenty of pedigree.

So why on earth would Barcelona be willing to sell?

Some claim that a minor dip in form – which has coincided with Barcelona’s pretty poor run in La Liga – may mean that Barca will be more willing to entertain offers for the Spaniard in the summer. This, I find unlikely. They know just how good he is and how important he is for the team. What’s more he’s a home-town boy, something that those Barcelona folks just love.

The only way I can see Pique leaving the Nou Camp in the next decade or so, is if he decides that the time is right for him to move on. This decision may run in tandem with Pep Guardiola’s future with the club. Pep’s entering the final few months of his 12 month rolling contract and players like Pique may decide to move on and seek a new challenge should they see their manager doing exactly that.

The question then, however, is this: would Pique be willing to move back to United? My initial intuition is no. He was never really appreciated whilst in England and his career only ever really took off when he moved to Spain. So why would he go back?

What’s more, he’d cost Manchester United an absolute fortune. Pique’s one of the most famous footballers in the world at one of the best clubs in the world – there’s no way that he would come cheap. In that respect I can’t help but feel that United could spend their cash better.

Why not go for Dortmund’s Neven Subotic, who in my opinion is just as good, already has an understanding with Nemanja Vidic (they are both Serbian internationals) and would be significantly cheaper?

What’s your take? Would Pique be a good buy for United or should they be more realistic?

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  • Jamali says:

    The writer is spot on. He won’t come cheap. Don’t know much about Subotic but Pique is nevertheless, world class. His reading of the game is impeccable and already plays the tiki-taka style of the highest pedigree. United needs to rediscover the robustness and physical football of the United of old, the speed and tenacity of attack combined with the fluency of the Barca style of tiki-taka football.

    Maybe he’s the missing link. With Rio in the twilight of his career, Vidic’s injuries; maybe it’s the right time for him to return to OT. I’m not entirely convinced of the Smalling-Jones partnership in central defense anyway. Jones has shown more promise as a DM. Smalling-Pique partnership sounds better with Jones in DM. Not forgetting there’s Evans there too.

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