Gerard Pique reveals hilarious encounter with Roy Keane after leaving Man United for Barcelona

Gerard Pique has admitted he was still nervous meeting Roy Keane years after leaving Manchester United.

Pique spent four years at Old Trafford between 2004 and 2008. He made a total of 23 appearances for the club before returning to Barcelona, where he was brought through the youth ranks ahead of his decision to sign for United.

The centre-back has enjoyed great success since leaving United. Pique, 35, has won eight La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues, seven Copa del Reys, six Spanish Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups during his stay at the Nou Camp.

ALSO READ: Manchester United weighing up Frenkie de Jong transfer.

Despite that success, Pique has joked he was still nervous when meeting Keane, his former captain, long after he left United. "We all know what Roy is like," Pique told Sky Bet's The Overlap.

"When you're 17, you look at Roy differently because I had just arrived, I didn't know him and it was kind of scary. I remember, a few years later when I was playing for Barcelona, we played Celtic and he was doing a TV programme. I was walking after the game and he came to talk to me and part of me was like that little kid when I first arrived in Manchester.

"I thought, argh s***, Roy Keane is coming! He said 'come on Gerard!' I said hello and we talked, it was fine, but I remember at that time when I was 17, Roy was the captain, he was a strong voice, always a tough message. He was a great captain but he was tough sometimes."

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.