OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says he will give Gerard Pique the needle to spook him at Old Trafford.
The United boss was in the final years of his career when Barcelona vice-captain Pique arrived as a teenager.
And Solskjaer still remembers what his big fear is.
The Norwegian said: Hes a very good boy, always smiling, joking, great lad, but I know he's not fond of needles, so maybe we should put a needle out for him.
Pique admits that Solskjaer has got that right although claims a career in football with its obvious injuries means it has been difficult to avoid them.
It was a great experience playing alongside him, he helped me a lot and Im very happy to see him in charge of the club.
Gerard Pique on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Pique said: That is true. I have had that since I was very young.
I really hated needles and I remember now that he knew about it.
After so long in football though sometimes you need them and just have to feel the pain to recover quick.
Now Im a little bit more adaptable than when I was younger, but I was really scared about them.
Pique made 23 appearances at United between 2004 and 2008 and remembers Solskjaer as a welcoming figure when he first left home to come to Old Trafford.
He said: When I arrived here I was 17, I was very young, he was one of the older players.
For sure he helped me a lot to adapt to the club, to the country and the city.
I remember he was at the end of his career, he had some problems with his injuries.
When you were training with him you can see he had that quality to score goals.
It was a great experience playing alongside him, he helped me a lot and Im very happy to see him in charge of the club.
Hes doing a great job since he took charge, theyve won a lot of games, are playing much better and it will be a tough game.
Pique is expecting United to sit back and try and beat Barca on the counter attack in tomorrow nights quarter-final first leg of their Champions League encounter, even though they are playing at home.
He added: I expect a game when well have the ball, they will try and hit us on the counter with fast, strong players like Rashford and Lukaku and we have top be on our guard, to look out for set-pieces and corners.
Theyre an English side, strong and tall, and theyll try and take advantage of opportunity. We have to avoid those situations.