Barcelona's Gerard Pique has new 'affection' for Guardiola's Man City

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has told Mundo Deportivo he has an "affection" for Manchester City after the arrival of Pep Guardiola as manager -- but Manchester United will always be his favourite Premier League club.

Pique spent four years at Old Trafford in the early stages of his career, making 23 first team appearances before returning to the Camp Nou in 2008.


He said Guardiola's summer arrival in England -- along with City's appointment of Txiki Begiristain as director of football in 2012 -- had made him look at City in a different way.

But he added: "Between Pep and United I opt for the latter.

"I spent some really good years there and I think of it as my second home. I will always be a Red Devil."

Pique said Guardiola's move "will help the Premier League so much and increase its level."

He added: "I have to admit I'll follow City with affection because there are more people there that I know.

"It's not just Pep, but Txiki, who helped a lot with my signing for Barca, and Spain teammates like [Jesus] Navas and [David] Silva.

"I will try to follow it as a fan. It's a competition which is a pleasure to follow."

Pique once suggested he would consider retiring at 30 if Barca no longer wanted him but, as he closes in on that milestone, he said he had no immediate plans to exit football.

"I'm trying to adapt my game so that I move as little as possible and that way I can last longer," he joked.

"Seriously, though, I will try to continue until my body or my mind say: 'Enough.'

"But I feel good and at the moment I plan to continue for many more years here [at Barca]."

SOURCE: ESPN FC NEWS