Manchester United youngster Arnau Puigmal is set to leave Old Trafford four years after beating Barcelona to the highly-rated midfielder's signature... with Almeria favourites to sign the Spaniard

Manchester United youngster Arnau Puigmal is poised to leave the club and return to Spain with Almeria favourites to sign him.

Puigmal's signing was viewed as something of a coup when United beat off competition from Barcelona to capture the highly rated midfielder from Espanyol in 2017. 

They had been impressed by his performances in the Mediterranean International Cup, where a Puigmal inspired Espanyol had beaten United, and they moved swiftly ahead of the competition.

Manchester United youngster Arnau Puigmal is poised to leave the club for Almeria

He bedded in quickly and then head of academy Nicky Butt said: 'He has a great attitude to learn and he has quickly picked up English, which will be a great help to him going forward. 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.'

However, despite early promise and inclusion in some first team squads, Puigmal has since failed to kick on and the 20-year-old is now destined to return to Spain with Almeria understood to be frontrunners for his signature.

Almeria are in Spain's Segunda Division and are pushing for promotion as they lie in third place behind Puigmal's former club Espanyol, who are top, and Real Mallorca.

United are also allowing 19-year-old striker Mark Helm, goalkeeper Jacob Carney, 20, and defender Max Taylor to leave.

The 21-year-old Taylor inspired many with his fight against testicular cancer and his recovery which culminated in a first team call-up against Astana in the Europa League.

'In the summer I'll be going to a new club, which is exciting,' Taylor told PA.

'It was agreed when I signed my extension (last summer) really, that I'd have a year out on loan playing football and stuff and then I would move on at the age of 21 if things didn't change.

'We sort of knew what was going to happen and it's not something I'm spiteful about, I want to go and play men's football and if that's not going to happen here it's going to have to be somewhere else.

'I'll always be thankful to United for all the experiences they've given me.

'They were great all throughout treatment and past treatment, even in the coronavirus period.

'They were great in terms of saying ''listen, this is going to be the plan'' and we both spoke openly to each other about what were going to be the plans for the next few seasons and things like that.'