PIQUE OF THE BUNCH

Gerard Pique, Manchester United's 17-year-old central defender, is already
being hailed as a star of the future. And when Sir Alex Ferguson speaks publicly about the Spaniard's potential he must be special.

"Gerard has settled in well and we think he has a marvellous chance of making
it," explained Ferguson who recently handed Pique his first-team debut in the
Carling Cup victory at Crewe.

Pique came on for the final quarter of the match, replacing John O'Shea in the
centre of defence and showing a confidence and maturity beyond his years.

Ferguson explained that the Reds spotted Pique playing for Barcelona in a
tournament in Spain. And because of a different transfer system in Spain - young players are not permitted to sign professional contracts - they were able to tempt him to Old Trafford.

Barcelona have evidently not given up hope of luring Pique back to the Nou
Camp should things not work out.

Youth coach Fernando Segui was at Altrincham to watch Pique play for the
reserves against Sunderland.

It was his second visit of the campaign and he believes Pique, who was in the
same Barcelona youth team as Arsenal's Franesc Fabregas, has the potential to
become an even better player than Fernando Hierro, the former Real Madrid and Spain legend.

"I think Pique is a better footballer than Hierro in bringing the ball out of defence," Segui said