Alex Ferguson sold Pique in 2008 because he wasn't suited for EPL - Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson sold Gerard Pique because he wasn’t suited for the Premier League. 

This came after he was ‘bullied’ in a defeat at Bolton. Nicolas Anelka scored the game’s only goal after Pique had mistimed a clearing header in November 2007.

Spanish centre-back had joined Manchester United from Barcelona’s academy in 2004. 

He was just 20 to years old when he moved to England.

Writing in The Sunday Times, Rooney said: ‘Bolton away more or less finished Gerard Pique’s career at United.

‘He was young and got bullied there and I think that’s when Fergie decided that, physically, he wasn’t right for the Premier League.

While at Manchester United he won Premier League (2007–08), FA Community Shield (2007), UEFA Champions League: (2007–08) 

He continued: ‘I always remember [Nemanja] Vidic: If we were going to Bolton – and it was the same when he was about to face Didier Drogba – he would be in the gym for two or three days before, pumping himself up.’

At the end of that season, Ferguson decided to sell Pique back to Barcelona for £5million after just 23 appearances for United.

Pique, 33, has gone on to win 8 La Liga titles, 6 Copa Del Rey, 6 Supercoppa Estana, 3 UEFA Champions League titles, 2 UEFA Super Cup and 3 FIFA World Club Cup for Barcelona from 2008 till date.