GoaL GaUL [Dot] Com

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that Barcelona defender Gerard Pique would have never become the player he is now if he had stayed at Old Trafford as the English game did not suit his style.

The Red Devils signed the teenager Pique in 2004, but after four unsuccessful seasons and only 23 appearance with the club, the Spaniard was sold for £5 million to Barcelona.

Since then Pique has flourished, beating United to the Champions Leaguewith Barcelona within a year of moving away from Old Trafford and cementing his place in the national side.

The defender played 31 times in La Liga for the Catalan giants this season and helped Pep Guardiola’s men to their third successive title.

Ferdinand believes that his success would not have happened for Pique if he was still with United today.

"Everyone knew Pique had talent," Ferdinand told reporters.

"But English football is different.

"If you asked him if he could have been where he is now if he had been playing for Manchester United, he would probably have said 'I don't know'.

"When you get a chance, you have to take it. He has gone to Spain, is winning trophies with Barcelona and is doing fantastically well, so you have to give him credit for that."

The English defender until recently had never watched the 2009 final where Barcelona defeated them 2-0 but believes that it was not as bad as he first thought having reviewed the game.

"It didn't scare us," he said.

"It actually brought home that it wasn't as one-sided as we imagined. We had a lot of chances."

Ferdinand believes that no one man can stop Lionel Messi and concedes it will have to be a team effort.

“There is not one single way you can stop Messi," Ferdinand added.

"You have to do it as a team.

"All the games we have watched when anyone has played well against Barcelona, is when the whole unit plays well.

"You have to defend as a team, cut down their angles and their space. Then you have a chance."

The centre-back also seemed not concerned by the recent press coverage Barcelona have received.

"Every week something is being said, either by other teams or the media," Ferdinand continued.

"But I don't mind Barcelona getting all the credit now.