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McShane was coming through the academy at the same time as several defenders who would go on to have long careers at the top level, both at Manchester United and further afield.<\/p>\n
Among those were Jonny Evans, Phil Bardsley, and future Barcelona star Gerard Piqu\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Piqu\u00e9 made a greater impression on the first team at Old Trafford than McShane did, even playing in 11 games en route to the 2008 Premier League-Champions League double before departing for his childhood club, Barcelona.<\/p>\n
The image of Piqu\u00e9 and McShane playing together in the United academy is a curious one; even more curious is the rumour concerning the two that McShane debunked on a podcast appearance this week.<\/p>\n
READ HERE: Four European Heavyweights Reportedly Eyeing Summer Move For Troy Parrott<\/a><\/p>\n READ HERE: Was Roy Keane Right To Blame Jesper Blomqvist For Yellow Card v Juventus?<\/a><\/p>\n Paul McShane v Gerard Pique<\/p>\n Paul McShane appeared on the\u00a0United by Association\u00a0podcast this week, reflecting on his time at the Manchester United academy in his youth, and his return as a player-coach in the twilight of his career.<\/p>\n The Wicklow native was asked by hosts (fellow former United players Aaron Burns and Fraizer Campbell) to verify the truth behind an altercation with Piqu\u00e9 at the end of his first spell at the club.<\/p>\n Allegedly, McShane had challenged Piqu\u00e9 to a race in the training ground car park when his lack of pace was called out by manager Alex Ferguson; sadly, the Irishman said that it was nothing but a tall tale, courtesy of goalkeeper Tom Heaton.<\/p>\n You know stories grow arms and legs…I think it was Tom Heaton that started spreading rumours. He was in digs when I was leaving United.<\/p>\n Rumours had it that I’d offered Piqu\u00e9 a race in the car park.<\/p>\n I was obviously speaking to Sir Alex about certain things. He was saying that I was lacking a yard of pace. I was like, ‘Well, there’s a few players that are maybe lacking a yard of pace as well.’ I was sort of fighting my corner.<\/p>\n The way the story grew was that I’d offered Gerard Piqu\u00e9 a race in the car park, that I’d said, ‘Right, get Piqu\u00e9, we’ll race in the car park!’<\/p>\n No, that never happened. I still have people come up to me to this day and ask me, ‘Is that true? That you offered him a race in the car park?’<\/p>\n You never let the truth get in the way of a good story!<\/p>\n You have to laugh at the image of Paul McShane going up against Gerard Piqu\u00e9 in a heated sprint race to determine his Manchester United future.<\/p>\n Ultimately, McShane would depart the club in the summer of 2006, signing for Sunderland (then under the stewardship of Roy Keane) and ultimately enjoying a 17-year-career at the top level in English football.<\/p>\n Piqu\u00e9, by contrast, would retire with the Premier League and Champions League titles he won at Old Trafford, as well as World Cup and EUROs medals with Spain, nine La Liga crowns, three more Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups and seven Copa del Reys with Barcelona.<\/p>\n However, we will never know if the Spaniard could have beaten Paul McShane in a foot race in their youth.<\/p>\n SEE ALSO: Ireland-Eligible Star’s International Switch Was Delayed Again By Fuel Protests<\/a><\/p>\n
![\"Owen](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/paul-mcshane-reveals-truth-behind-surreal-gerard-piqu-eacute-rumour.png\")
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