Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has joked Manchester United will lay out a needle to unnerve Gerard Pique before his return to Old Trafford.
Barcelona defender Pique spent four years at United but rejoined Barcelona for £7million in 2008 and has become one of the most garlanded footballers of the century.
The pair started just two games alongside each other in 2006 FA Cup ties against Burton Albion but Solskjaer recalled a reserves triumph they figured in - and Pique's phobia.
"Gerard, I used to play with him, actually I played here in a reserve final at Old Trafford," Solskjaer recalled.
"I scored, and Gerard scored, we won 2-0 against Tottenham, Kieran McKenna – our coach – played in that game. I don't know if that tells you how young I am or how old Gerard is!
"But he was a fantastic boy, he came to United as young boy, we had lots of belief in him, him and Giuseppe Rossi came together. He was maybe unlucky because he was here when arguably one of the best centre-back partnerships in the world with Rio (Ferdinand) and Nemanja Vidic played here so he didn’t get the chances that he probably deserved.
"So cultured, he can read the game, great in the air, very good boy to have in the dressing room, always smiling, joking, great lad. I know he's not fond of needles, so maybe we should put a needle out for him!
"I'm just happy to see how he's progressed in his career and how many trophies he’s won, and it will be nice to meet him again, it’s a few years ago since I've seen him.
"But hopefully we can make him feel old and not me young."