GERARD PIQUE

28. GERARD PIQUE

D.O.B: 02/02/87
Born: Barcelona, Spain
Position: Defender
Gerard Pique arrived at United in the summer of 2004 with great promise and potential.

Highly-regarded at his former club Barcelona, Pique chose to relocate to Old Trafford and was hoping for a gradual progression through the United ranks.

"I will give it everything I have got and then perhaps in two years' time I will be in the (first) team," said Pique, soon after his arrival.

The coaches were so impressed with the way Pique settled in, he was handed an earlier than expected senior debut as substitute.

Pique's 23-minute Carling Cup cameo at Crewe came barely a week after his first appearance for the Reserves.

He plays for the Spanish Under-17 international side and was nominated as Catalonia Player of the Year in his time at the Nou Camp.

Gerard made a shock start for the first team in the FA Cup third round draw with Exeter City, and has been a regular performer and occasional scorer for Ricky Sbragia's reserve side since joining the club.