Barcelona midfielder Gerard Pique has backed Louis van Gaal to succeed as manager of Manchester United.

Van Gaal officially took over the Old Trafford hotseat earlier this month following the departure of David Moyes at the end of last season.

Pique, who himself spent four years at United, believes that his former coach at Barca will do a 'brilliant' job in the Premier League.

"I think he will be great," the 27-year-old told reporters. "I didn't know him a lot because I was really young when he was Barcelona's coach, but he had a really good relationship with my grandfather, the former vice president of the club.

"I had the chance to see him one day at my grandfather's house when I was 12 or 13 years old. He arrived at the house and he knew I was playing for the Barcelona youth team.

"He pushed me and I fell to the floor, and he said 'you are not tough enough to be a centre-back'. So, yes, he really is a disciplinarian, and I think he will do brilliantly here."

Barcelona are this week training at England's St George's Park.