Gerard Pique rules out Old Trafford return

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has made it clear that he has no plans to leave Camp Nou any time soon.

Having struggled for playing time since the arrival of Luis Enrique, the Spain international has been linked with a January exit, with his former club Manchester United reportedly among interested sides.

However, Pique does not seem to be concerned by the current status at the club and insists he will not be leaving the Catalans in the near future.

“I love this club for its history, its style of play and its connection to Catalunya,” Pique confessed to FourFourTwo magazine.

“I love it here. I am at the best club in the world right now. I have no intention of leaving now or later. I’ve just signed a new contract and I want to retire a Blaugrana, just like Puyol did.

“You never know what the future holds, but right now, I love this city, I love the people in the club, and most importantly, I love the institution. I don’t see myself leaving.”

While coming through the youth ranks at Barcelona, Pique left Camp Nou for Manchester United in 2004 and went on to spend next four years at Old Trafford.

He returned to Catalunya in the summer of 2008 and has since featured in 168 La Liga matches for the Catalans, scoring 12 goals in the process.

Pique should be on the pitch when Spain face Slovakia away in the Euro 2016 qualifier, with La Furia Roja priced at 2/5 to claim maximum points.