Former Manchester United academy chief Brian McClair has spoken of the club losing Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.

McClair, who spent 11 seasons as a United player before working as a member of their backroom staff, told The Times he scouted Pique himself at an international youth tournament for Spain..

"They (Paul Pogba and Pique) were exceptional as teenagers," said McClair.

"The real problem for Gerard was that he had so much opposition. At that time, we had Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the peak of their powers. So Gerard went back to Barcelona and has thrived for club and country."