By Laura Slatcher and Francisco Acedo Last updated: 11th May 2008
Pique: Fergie reassurance
Manchester United defender Gerard Pique has been reassured by manager Sir Alex Ferguson that he will play more games next season.
Ferguson's reassurance comes after reports in Spain linked the 21-year-old with a move back to his former club Barcelona.
The 21-year-old has failed to cement a starting place in United's side after impressive form from Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
The United boss is keen to see Pique remain at the club and moved to assure the defender that he will get his chance.
"I can see him playing 25 to 30 games," Ferguson told the Daily Star. "He's becoming a really good defender.
"It'll be hard with Rio and Vidic but you need good players."
Reports in Spain say that Barca are interested in the services of Pique after a knee injury forced central defender Gabriel Milito out of action for at least six months.
Manchester United have allegedly suggested a loan deal for Pique but Barcelona are hoping to sign the Spaniard in a permanent deal.
A €6million (£4.8million) price has been reported and Pique's agent predicts a meeting with Manchester United officials after their UEFA Champions League final.
Pique's roots lie with the Catalan side, with his grandfather Amador Bernabeu the former vice-president of the Spanish giants.

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 10:30 | Malaysia vs Man Utd |
| Monday 20th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:00 | Indonesia All Stars vs Man Utd |
| Friday 24th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 12:00 | FC Seoul vs Man Utd |
| Sunday 26th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 13:00 | Hangzhou Greentown vs Man Utd |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Boca Juniors |
| Wednesday 5th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Valencia |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Man City |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Sunderland |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 27th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Barcelona 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 13th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 10th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Tuesday 5th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 29th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 5 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 22nd April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton | |
| Wednesday 15th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| FC Porto 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 2 FC Porto | |
| Sunday 5th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 4 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 11th March | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Inter Milan | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Fulham 0 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
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