Barcelona star Gerard Pique reveals: I kept having my satellite dish stolen in Manchester - by the people who fitted them!



Gerard Pique has revealed his biggest frustration while with Manchester United - his satellite dish being constantly stolen by the person that fitted them.

The Barcelona defender has also claimed he won't miss the hierarchy that exists at United.

Pique said: 'I spent everything I earned on satellite dishes, but mine got stolen every week.

Case for the defence: Gerard Pique in action for Barcelona this season

'It wasn't until the fourth time it happened that the police discovered the dishes were being stolen by the same people fitting them in the first place.'

Pique left Manchester for Barcelona in 2008, helping the Catalan giants to their magnificent treble last term.

And he believes there is more of an openness about Barcelona as a club.

He told UEFA's website: 'In Manchester, there was more of a hierarchy. The senior players were greatly respected, and it was taken for granted that the likes of Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes were in charge.



'Pep Guardiola has won me over with his openness. New players have come in and he wants them to understand the thinking behind what he tells them to do. He's the ideal coach and he doesn't look at a player's age.

All smiles: Pique celebrates after scoring for Manchester United against Dynamo Kiev in 2007

'If he thinks you are up to it, he'll give you a chance. He took a bold step with me because it is not easy to play a young centre-half, a position that carries a great deal of responsibility, at Barca.'

Pique added: 'I understand that a player coming from another place plays for his individual prestige and to win trophies, and by doing that helps the team. Yet I can assure you that I could never have the same feelings for the (Manchester) United shirt as a player from their youth academy can.

'However, Barcelona players are very aware of what this club means. You don't need many lessons for that. [Thierry] Henry saw it as soon as he joined Barca.

'Even though we're really tight at Barça, there are different groups. There are the Catalans, who are the captains, the home-grown players with the club in their blood.

'But there are other players, like Titi [Henry] and [Eric] Abidal, who bring a lot of experience. Guardiola gives the orders, albeit tactfully. I'm still young with a lot to learn, but I like the fact that when I give my opinion, it is listened to and respected.'



