Pique picks himself up and decides to stay at Old Trafford

Manchester United defender Gerard Pique has decided to commit his immediate future to the Premier League champions despite a recent dressing down from assistant manager Carlos Queiroz.

Pique has spent the past fortnight mulling over his future after being told by Sir Alex Ferguson's No 2 that he had not been trying hard enough and that he had not made enough of recent opportunities in the first team.

At first sources close to the young Spaniard suggested he was resigned to a future away from Old Trafford and was ready to return to Spain.

La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as Real Betis and Real Sociedad all made enquiries about the 20-year-old's availability in the summer and the international central defender would not be short of offers if he decided to return to his homeland.

With Phil Bardsley likely to join Bryan Robson's Sheffield United in the Championship and Sunderland keen on Danny Simpson, Ferguson wants experienced cover at left back and will try to buy a player who can also function in the centre of defence.

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