5 Footballers who have played for both Barcelona and Manchester United since 2000

Modified Jul 11, 2019 08:57 GMT

Barcelona and Manchester United will reignite their rivalry in the Champions League next week

#4 Gerard Pique

Gerard Pique, the famous Spanish centre-back, came through the youth ranks of Barcelona and joined United as a teenager in 2004. However, he failed to cement his place in the starting line-up of United, who had Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as their regular center-backs.

Yet, Pique managed to stay with the club till 2008, and also won one UEFA Champions League and one Premier League title with them. He played in 23 matches for United and scored 2 goals. Ultimately, he left the club in 2008 and subsequently joined Barcelona in 2009.

Pique evolved as a player while playing for Barca, and remained one of the best center-backs in the world for close to a decade. He is known for his distribution skills, clean tackling and ability to read the game. Pique has won 3 Champions League and 7 LaLiga titles with Barcelona. He has also scored 46 goals in 487 matches for them.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Jidonu Mauyon