re: Manchester United 2014/15 Season Long Thread : Hitting the Reset Button

Pique's time as a youngster at Barcelona coincided with the time Louis van Gaal was in charge at the Nou Camp, with the defender recalling a memorable example of the Dutch coach's frankness.

"I didn't know him a lot because I was really young when he was Barcelona's coach, but he had a really good relationship with my grandfather, the former vice-president of the club.

"I had the chance to see him one day at my grandfather's house when I was 12 or 13 years old.

"He arrived at the house and he knew I was playing for the Barcelona youth team. He pushed me and I fell to the floor, and he said 'you are not tough enough to be a centre-back'.

"So, yes, he really is a disciplinarian, and I think he will do brilliantly [at United]."

Pique via the Manchester Evening News