Pique left United this summer and re-signed for
Barcelona having struggled to force his way into the first team at
Old Trafford. Pique made only five league starts last year as he
found his place in the side blocked by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja
Vidic.
However, Pique admitted that leaving Manchester United didn’t
necessarily have to be a step down. He said: “I have shown you can
leave United and go to another big club. I was happy at Old
Trafford but wasn’t playing as much as I wanted.”
Pique went on to reveal that he had only left the club due to
his lack of first team action but admitted that the depth of talent
at Manchester United meant that opportunities were limited.
“The problem at United now is they have the best players in the
world,” he said before adding, “In every position good players are
fighting for a place and it’s difficult for some of the guys.”
The Barcelona defender then went on to speculate over Darren
Fletcher who remains on the fringes at the club and Pique went on
to suggest that it might finally be time for the player to move
on.
Time's Up
“He’s a great player but at United he’s up against Owen
Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes,” he said before
admitting, “If Darren wants to play every game he has to accept his
time at United may be over. He has the quality to go to another
massive club.”
However, despite suggesting Fletcher’s United career may be
over, Pique did reveal that he thought Fletcher still had a
promising future ahead of him. He confessed: “I’m not sure what he
wants to do. He can either stay and accept being involved in just
25 or 30 games a season or be a main player for another team.”
Fletcher has been at United since joining as a trainee in 2000
and this may be one factor which makes it hard for him to leave, a
fact Pique acknowledged: “Darren has been there a long time and
sees it as home so it’s a hard decision for him.”
Whilst a number of clubs have been linked with a move for the
Scottish midfielder, Pique suggested he had a good idea where
Fletcher may suit best. He revealed: “He’s a real fighter and
has never let the club down. I know Everton are interested and they
are close to Manchester so maybe it’s right for him.”