Gerard Piqué arrived at United in the summer of 2004 with great promise and potential. Highly-regarded at his former hometown club Barcelona where he was nominated as the Catalonia Player of the Year, Piqué opted to relocate to Old Trafford in search of first team chances.
United’s coaches were so impressed with the way Piqué settled in that he was handed an earlier-than-expected senior debut as a substitute for John O’Shea during the Reds’ Carling Cup trip to Crewe. Piqué's 23-minute cameo in the 3-0 victory came barely a week after his first appearance for the Reserves. He looked instantly at ease alongside Wes Brownin the centre of defence, twice snuffing out the threat of then-Crewe striker Dean Ashton.He made two further first team outings during the 2004/05 campaign, as a sub for Brown in the Reds' 3-0 Champions League defeat away at Fenerbahce and as a starter in the goalless FA Cup stalemate against Exeter at Old Trafford. The young Catalan was also an integral part of the club’s quadruple-winning Reserve side, chipping in with two goals in 24 appearances. Piqué won yet more silverware in his second season at Old Trafford as he helped the Reserves claim the Treble. He was a regular fixture in Rene Meulensteen’s side, playing 26 times and firing two goals.The Spanish defender made his Premiership debut at the Stadium of Light in October 2005 as United ran out 3-1 winners over Sunderland. He featured in six more league and Cup matches during the remainder of the 2005/06 season including an impressive display at right-back in his first Premiership start against West Ham at OT in March 2006.
With so many senior contenders vying for a regular berth in the Reds' defence, Sir Alex Ferguson decided to send Pique on loan for the entire 2006/07 campaign. He joined Real Zaragoza in La Liga and although opportunities weren'timmediately forthcoming, Gerard soon had an impact on the first team and became a regular starter.Although he scored on his debut at Villarreal and again against Gimnastic and hometown club Barcelona, it was Pique's impressive defensive displays which caught the eye as Zaragoza finished a superb season with a UEFA Cup slot.Such was Pique's impact at La Romareda that the Spaniards enquired about a permanent transfer for the youngster.
On 5 May 2007, it was announced that Piqué would be staying at Old Trafford next season. It was intended for Sir Alex Ferguson to be at La Romareda to watch Piqué play on 6 May, in an effort to gauge the youngster's progress, before having a meeting with the player to discuss his future with Man Utd, but this was unable to take place, due to problems with flights.
He has since returned to Manchester United and is a member of the first team making 6 appearances so far this season
He scored on his first start in the Champions League in a 4-0 win against Dynamo Kiev played on 7 November 2007 at Old Trafford, Piqué scored the first of Manchester United's 4 goals in that match. In doing so, he became the 450th Manchester United player to score at least one goal for the club.
Following his first goal for the club, Pique got his second in another Champions League match, this time, away at Roma on December 12.
Full name - Gerard Piqué Bernabeu
Date of birth - February 2, 1987
Place of birth - Barcelona, Spain
Height - 1.91 m
Playing position - Centre Back/Right Back
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