I did train a few times, but that would be the only time I could play with the senior team. Did they do that because I played a good season, and I could help the team? Or because they wanted me to extend my contract?

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In the south-east of Spain, there is a little pocket of Manchester.

The coastal city of Almeria has little in common with Stretford, with the Cable Ingls, an iron railway built to transport mined resources into waiting cargo ships, the closest it comes to the north-west of England.

It is fitting, though, that the mining city, famous for its Crystal Cave, is currently home to three rough diamonds, which they themselves exported from England.

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UD Almeria are currently enjoying only their seventh-ever season in the top flight of Spanish football, having won La Liga 2 for the first time in their history last year.

They currently sit midtable in La Liga, and at the heart of their side is one of three players they have signed from Manchester United in the last three years.

Almeria came into vast amounts of money in August 2019, when Saudi adviser at the Royal Court, Turki Al-Sheikh, became owner of the club and looked to transform it into one of Spains leading sides through the means of heavy investment in youth, rather than spending huge amounts on established stars.

Darwin Nunez was brought to Europe from Penarol, and would be sold to Benfica for an €18million profit and a further 12.8million as part of a sell-on clause triggered with his move to Liverpool.

A year later, the United links began, when highly-rated winger Largie Ramazani agreed to join the club on a free transfer. A year later, Arnau Puigmal joined, before Martin Svidersky made the same move last summer.

All three of them were offered new deals to remain at United, but they all looked to move in pursuit of greater first-team opportunities elsewhere. And so it worked out that Almerias financial pulling power and their commitment to youth talent were the next steps for the trio to take.

Ramazani is now in his third year with the Spanish club and is by far and away the biggest success story of the three former United players on their books.

He has caught the eye during his debut top-flight campaign and is already being linked with a high-profile move this year and, in particular, a move to Everton this month.

The 21-year-old winger made one senior appearance during his time at Old Trafford, coming on in the closing moments of Uniteds Europa League defeat away at Astana back in 2019.

During his final season at the club, he scored nine goals in just 13 Premier League 2 appearances and averaged a goal involvement in every other game during his three-year stint in the academy. Nonetheless, despite his impressive stats, he would never make another senior squad before departing as a free agent.

Ramazani rejected a new long-term contract at United before departing, with playing time a large factor in the Belgians decision to move to Spain. United sources also stated that the club was unprepared to match the wage demands of a player who did not necessarily have a long-term future with them.

The Belgian youth international had a quiet debut season in Spain, but really hit his stride last year as he helped the club earn promotion back to the top-flight.

Since then, he has continued to impress in La Liga, scoring just six minutes into the new season to give his side a shock lead over Real Madrid in a game theyd go on to lose narrowly.

He has been used in every league match for Almeria this season and is certainly justifying his reason for leaving United amid concerns he had no meaningful role to play.

I was almost at the end of my contract, and I had a good season with the second team, he said last year. Almost half of the reserves were allowed to go to Astana. I was even allowed to join.

I did train a few times, but that would be the only time I could play with the senior team. Did they do that because I played a good season, and I could help the team? Or because they wanted me to extend my contract?

Debuting for United is like a dream, and Jesse Lingard, Luke Shaw but also Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay were very helpful for young players. But it didnt convince me: I knew theyd loan me out if I signed up. I had Marcus Rashford in front of me, Daniel James, Tahith Chong. What was the point of playing another season with the reserves? So, I wanted to try elsewhere.

Another of those youngsters that travelled to Kazakhstan was Puigmal.

United considered it a coup when they beat Barcelona to his signature back in 2017, and former head of the academy Nicky Butt heralded him as one of the brightest talents at the club.

He has a great attitude to learn and he has quickly picked up English, which will be a great help to him going forward, Butt had said. It is clear to see that he has all the attributes to develop into a top player and have a fine future ahead of him.

That future might well not even be at Almeria. The 21-year-old midfielder played a key role in helping the side earn promotion back to the top flight, but has struggled for playing time ever since.

Puigmal made 34 appearances during the promotion-winning campaign, but has only started two matches this season after dropping down the pecking order.

With regard to Svidersky, its been a slow start to life in his new surroundings.

He was another highly coveted arrival at United back in 2019, having previously been offered a trial by Manchester City, while there was also rumoured interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea.

Svidersky was the clubs Scholar of The Year for the under-18 category in his first season at the club, but there came a point where he had to take a hard look at his chances of making it as a United player.

The 20-year-old was offered a new deal at United last year, but chose to run down his contract instead as he went in pursuit of more first-team opportunities elsewhere. Club sources admitted at the time that while United were keen to tie the Slovakian youngster to a new deal, there had been a feeling that he would leave for a while.

I experienced a lot of nice moments in Manchester, but also difficult moments. They definitely strengthened me and taught me a lot. I tried to use every second, Svidersky said.

I think I made the most of my time. Its true that I didnt manage to fulfil the dream I came for was very close but I chose a different path. I prioritised personal development over fame.

Svidersky has been named on the bench nine times for Almerias first-team this season, but is yet to make his senior debut for the club.

It most certainly hasnt brought him fame, but it certainly will have given him priceless experience in his long-term ambition to make it as a professional at the highest level.

In the long run, these gambles might well pay off, and it is still early days for both the players and the club in their dreams of reaching the very top.

United might not miss any of them yet, but they could one day.

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