Manchester United U23's case study, Arnau Puigmal.

The Spaniard's contract comes to an end this summer, and there are many shadows of doubt over his future. There have been rumours that he may join Almeria or even Barcelona.

Arnau joined Manchester United in the 2017/18 season from the youth ranks of Espanyol, after facing United in the 2017 Med Cup. Espanyol went to lift the trophy. He scored against Barcelona and Puigmal was named best player of his age group.

Since joining United in the 2017/18 season, these are his stats:
2017/18 - 10 starts, 6 subs: 3 goals, 4 assists (U18)
2018/19 - 19 starts, 1 sub: 2 goals, 4 assists (U18)
4 subs: 2 assists (U19, UYL)
2019/20 - 13 starts, 3 subs: 3 goals, 1 assist (U23)

Meanwhile, this season:
Arnau has 8 starts in the Premier League 2, scoring 6 goals and assisting twice. Meanwhile, in the EFL trophy he has played 3 games, scoring one goal, the one v Salford City.

He likes scoring free kicks... (back in 2019) https://twitter.com/ManUtd/status/1191710506408726528?s=20

In the Espanyol academy, Arnau featured in central midfield. In a few games where he featured in the Med Cup, Arnau played as a box-to-box midfielder and was placed in the left hand side. What struck the United the most was his brilliant and quick decision making.

In Espanyol's third goal, as it can be seen by the picture below, Arnau picks the ball in his box and manages to clear the ball well enough and then burst into United's half. No, he didn't score, but his teammate did.

Despite signing for United in July, his signing was made official in September, due to international clearance. He was the U21's (U23's) in Austria that summer (pre-season camp). His United coaches were very pleased with his signing.

This is what McKenna said back in September:
"He played for Espanyol against our Under-16s at the Med Cup in the second half of last season. He's a really dynamic, technical midfield player who likes to drive forward and carry the ball."

*continued*
"He can handle the ball really well and seems a lovely young man too. His English is coming along and he's settling well, so I am sure he'll enjoy his time at the club."

He was part of the team that won the Sparkasse & VGH Cup in 2018. Here's the goal he scored v Mainz 05.

He scored 5 goals in the tournament: Mainz 05, TuSpo Petershütte x2, JSG Radolfshausen, Schalke 04.

Here are Arnau Puigmal and Mason Greenwood combining nicely... Video via MUTV

A few years ago, there were even discussions of him becoming a free kick specialist and some goals from his time at the U18's really were amazing... https://twitter.com/academyreview/status/911581481591611392?s=20

Moving on, his tactical abilities have indeed changed. As I explained above, Arnau played as a central midfielder for Espanyol, but he went through some transformations in the academy. He has mostly played as a RB, even a wing-back, but when needed at CM as well.

This season Arnau has played at CM v Liverpool, Man City, Southampton, West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal in the PL2. He showed calmness and most importantly exploited well the opponent's defence. Some games were quite difficult, mostly due to individual mistakes.

It was indeed interesting to watch him play alongside Pellistri. The Spaniard moved quite well down the right and at moments, as Pellistri shifted down the centre; Arnau would move around the right and get in the edge of the box.

Against Southampton, it's the typical case of what I explained above. You see Pellistri go in the centre, while Arnau runs dangerously in the right. Scored in the rebound shot.

While he is yet to make his senior debut for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, he was part of the squad that travelled to take on Astana in the Europa League in 2019/20. The former Espanyol man was named on the bench for that clash, but didn't come on.

Arnau has played for Spain in youth level, U17, U18, U19 level; scoring 2 goals. Here is his goal v Italy...

I've been asked by a few over his contract situation. Well, I will be honest with you. I don't have any particular or special information to give you over his contract as he looks like he will leave in the summer. I rate him highly, but chances of him staying are low.

United usually would have already started the contract renewals talks and have him commit the future in a long term. Given the circumstances, he may probably leave for Spain again, as Almeria and Barcelona have shown particular interests.

Not trying to start a rumour, but not long ago I did see an Instagram story of him watching Almeria and his former teammate Largie Ramazani who left there. Ramazani wanted a new challenge and Puigmal is in the same road.

If I remember correctly, around the time we signed him there were some news that United had to approach his mum, because Arnau didn't like Manchester weather. However, he did settle, but probably the fact that he isn't closer to the first team has affected his feelings.

He passing range is excellent, he has played at RW, RB and at CM. When we see the current situation in the first team, sometimes you wonder why he isn't part of the team. It has to be mentioned that he has suffered some injuries (& has missed a few games due to this).

Here are his 2018/19 highlights. Video via @MxZvGx_'s YT channel.