Gerard Pique brands Manchester "a very special place"

Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has revealed that he will always look back fondly on his time in Manchester with Manchester United.

The Spanish international moved to Old Trafford at the age of 17 from Barcelona, but returned to the Camp Nou in 2008.

"Manchester is a very special place for me. I arrived when I was still just a kid, I was 17 and although I would have liked to have played more and been an important member of the side, I learned a lot during my three years here," he told reporters at a press conference.

"As I have always said, United will always be my second club, after Barca. Arsenal were the first club to come for me, the previous year they had signed Cesc [Fabregas] but Barcelona weren't happy about it and blocked my move there.

"Then Manchester United appeared, Alex Ferguson welcomed me with open arms, he convinced me, over dinner to join. For me United is the biggest club in England, at least during the past few years."

Pique's Barcelona side are currently in Manchester for their last-16 Champions League clash with Manchester City.