Barcelona veteran Gerard Pique says his spell at Manchester United made him who he is as a player.

The Spaniard spent four years at Old Trafford before returning to Barcelona, where he would make a name for himself as one of the world's best defenders.

"When I left my friends there to spend four years at Manchester United it was tough," Pique told the Observer. "At the same time that was a great experience for me.

"I grew up a lot there. I am who I am because of the period I had at Manchester United, even though I didn't play as much as I wanted to.

"But in my position there were two centre-backs who were among the top three in the world at the time [Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic]. But being at home, and having the career I have had at home, has been a great pleasure and I am very proud of it."